Blunt Announces Homeland Security
Grant Awards to CERT Programs
JEFFERSON CITY, October 24, 2006-Gov. Matt Blunt today
announced FY05 Homeland Security grants totaling $337,991 will support
35 local Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training programs.
“These grants will give local communities a down
payment on plans to strengthen first responder training, which helps
keep Missourians prepared and ready to respond to any crisis,”
Blunt said.
The CERT program is designed to assist communities in
taking care of themselves in the aftermath of a major disaster when
first responders are overwhelmed. Trained CERT volunteers often conduct
public safety functions in emergency situations. They have the capability
to spread out within a particular neighborhood or business complex
extinguishing small fires, performing light search and rescue and
rendering basic first aid for disaster victims.
The 35 CERT programs being funded are: Bollinger County,
Benton County, Boone County, Camden County, Christian County, City
of Cape Girardeau, City of Chesterfield, Cole County, City of Columbia,
Cottleville Fire Protection District, City of Crestwood, Douglas County,
City of Dardeene Prairie, City of Festus, City of Gladstone, Greene
County,
Harris Stowe State University, City of Independence (provides training
to 15 jurisdictions in the Kansas City area), Jefferson County, City
of Kirksville, City of Kirkwood, City of Manchester, Marion County,
Meramac Valley Region (provides training to eight jurisdictions),
Phelps County, Polk County, Rock Community, Scott County, City of
St. Anne, St. Clair Fire Department, St. Louis Central CERT Region,
Stoddard County, Texas County, Washington County, and City of Willard.