Are you interested in helping your neighbors during an emergency? Join OMVNA-CERT!
OMVNA CERT is a group of over 50 local volunteers that helps our neighborhood (and ourselves) make ready for and endure local disasters. We show neighbors how to prepare, to put aside 3-5 days of food, water, and key supplies for their household adults, children, & pets. During a disaster we assist with damage assessment, light fire suppression, basic search and rescue, and communication via handheld FRS or GMRS 2-way radios. HAM radio operators link us to MV OES (Office of Emergency Services).
Our mission is preparation and communication, always using common sense. We do NOT hand out food and water. Working in teams, Volunteers only safely provide assistance they are qualified and trained for, and will radio for specialized help as appropriate.
We still need many more responsible and civic-minded local volunteers to properly cover all of Old Mountain View. Graduates of the MV city CERT training and those with medical, HAM radio, or other disaster-related skills are particularly needed. However, no special training is required. If you are interested, we would be happy to talk to you.
Joining OMVNA CERT is an easy 45 minute orientation (done virtually during Covid-19). After that, a volunteer is considered active if they participate in any two or more CERT activities each year. These can be any of our first Sunday of the month CERT radio checks (8:30 pm sharp on radio channel 2), occasional drills, meetings, exercises, MV CERT classes, or any other CERT-related activity whether in-person or online. Other family members are welcome so they can help out too.
To join, volunteers need their own 22 channel handheld FRS or GMRS 2-way radio and a Go-kit (small emergency backpack). MV CERT class grads get a backpack, helmet, and some other city items on completion. To that we add a waterproof flashlight, covered clipboard, mini-med kit, a preparation guide, and other disaster materials. We provide substitutes if needed for the city items to non-MV CERT grads.
Please fill out this form so we can meet you and get back to you!
Contact
Email info@omvna-cert.org or visit www.omvna-cert.org for more information
* FRS/GMRS radios are readily available at nearby sporting good stores or online merchants. Most members have Motorola Talkabout MR350 radios from a group purchase many years ago. Any new FRS/GMRS radio will be compatible with these. We can work with you to acquire a radio if you need assistance.
