C.E.R.T.: A reason to be thankful
There’s a large group of community volunteers who work events on Fort Myers Beach for next to nothing. They are first responders who are trained in first aid, CPR, AED (automated external defibrillator), search and rescue, triage and fire extinguisher operations. They are a varied group, but they share common ground on at least one subject: caring.
The Community Emergency Response Team is definitely a reason to be thankful on Thanksgiving and every other day of the year.
CERT is nationally known after being formed under FEMA and Homeland Security. The concept was developed and implemented by the Los Angeles City Fire Department in 1985. During his tenure, former President George W. Bush made CERT a volunteer group to assist in the neighborhood.
In 2005, Beach Fire Chief Mike Becker, then a shift commander for the fire department, decided to begin CERT after conferring with Dan and Joanne Shamp and other members of the Public Safety Task Force.
“We thought this program would benefit the Beach,” Becker said. “We got some people involved and started exploring the things that needed to be done. We got organized and made it happen.”
CERT’s first graduating class had 31 members that year. The original class produced notable Beach residents Bill Van Duzer, Ted Reckwerdt, Joanne Semmer, Betty Goodacre, Ceel Sphuler, Roxie Smith and Al Agathen. After reading Agathen’s resume which included work as a paramedic, a fireman and a volunteer, Becker decided to approach him about running the program.
“How many communities have a Al Agathen?” said Becker. “He’s just a huge asset. It’s neat because he gets to have a second life in the fire department after 25 years as a fire fighter.”
Under Agathen’s leadership, CERT has grown to 83 members to date. Eight members in a new class (which includes Annie Babcock, wife of FMB Councilman Tom Babcock) are going through the appropriate training and are expected to graduate in mid-December.
After Hurricane Wilma in 2005, Agathen decided the group needed to become more involved in the community on a more day-to-day basis. That’s when the group became more involved in Beach events.
“We needed to keep the interest,” said Agathen. “We decided we were going to get more involved. Due to regulations, the fire department would have to park a rescue squad during events such as the Shrimp Festival. Before our involvement, Chief Becker would have to bring in overtime people and it would cost the event coordinators $2,500. Now, my CERT members go in, set up a tent and say feed us, give us nonalcoholic beverages all day and that’s all you pay.”
But, since getting cut out of the budget federally this year, Agathen’s group will have to do fund-raising and ask for a little kickback when they set up a tent. The money earned will help CERT defray costs which includes purchasing individual backpack bags with medical supplies and tools for $350 apiece.
“You’re either going to have to pay the $2,500 for a paramedic squad or donate to us,” he said. “I won’t put a price on it, but we’ll be a 5013C corporation by then, and we’ll be able to accept donations.”
CERT members have worked many community events over the past few years such as parades, festivals, bashes and sporting events. Their green tent can be seen at nearly every happening on the Beach including the Shrimp Festival, Pumpkin Festival, Bay Oaks Bash and the American Sand Sculpting Championship.
And, they are not bystanders. At a recent rugby tournament held at the Holiday Inn on the Beach, Agathen’s men and women were tested and proved their worth.
“That was the first time since I retired that I used triage like a M.A.S.H unit,” said Agathen. “It started with a guy who was head-butted, broke his nose and had blood all over him. While we were treating him, four other people were in line to get treated for various things, including three who we had to transport. People learned a new respect for us because we were able to handle the crisis. That’s what we are trained for.”
Should a situation escalate, CERT is prepared. Agathen is always in radio contact with the FMB Fire Department.
“We’re volunteers and we volunteer our time to be first responders on the scene,” he said. “We are in contact with the paramedics should we need a bus to show up to transport.”
Becker has been impressed since the start. The fire chief said that donations can be made to CERT through the fire department. Those donations will be designated for CERT use only and not go into the department’s general fund.
“I think Fort Myers Beach CERT team is at the top of the county in activity,” said Becker. “They are second only to North Fort Myers in attendance. Al has his people involved at every event. They are a huge asset to this community.”
Snowbird Festival benefits CERT
The Fort Myers Beach Community Emergency Response Team is seeking donations for a fundraiser at the second annual Snowbird Festival at Yucatan Beach Stand on Sunday, Nov. 29.
The CERT members will be holding raffles and a 50/50 drawing that will require donated prizes such as gift certificates, merchandise, vouchers or cash. The donations are tax deductible and an EIN number is available to anyone who requests it. Budweiser is expected to donate all beer sales to CERT that day.
CERT, a volunteer branch of the FMB Fire Control District, is comprised of nearly 100 members who serve the community during disaster situations and are trained in first aid, CPR, AED, search and rescue, triage and fire extinguisher operations.
Funding for supplies and training tools are limited. For more information on the program or to assist with donations, please call Al Agathen at 357-4295 or Steve DeAngelis (another CERT member) at 822-1369. Vendor spaces are available at this event.