Disaster Relief CERT calls for donations
Disaster Relief CERT has called for donations to help them continue and expand their important work.
The past week’s heavy downpours have proven that disaster can strike any time and anywhere, putting severe strain on the resources of the City of Johannesburg Emergency Management Services (CoJEMS) and private service providers.
According to Disaster Relief Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT) director Chad Mileham, it is of vital importance to have enough people with the necessary training and resources to provide specific assistance both during and after any catastrophic event that may occur.
“You never know what may happen,” he says. “At any given moment we can be just seconds from disaster, and as a community, we should be prepared.”
Disaster Relief CERT is a non-profit organisation with one goal: preparing volunteers to provide disaster relief and assistance.
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Mileham adds that disaster relief training is much more comprehensive than just first aid training.
“There are, of course, different tiers of assistance, but training specific to disaster relief is essential to ensure that any response rendered is effective and does not result in more injuries and casualties.”
Disaster Relief CERT is run by Mileham and co-directors Stephen Reynolds and John Groome, to a large extent, from their own pockets.
“Unfortunately, it is a very expensive exercise,” says Mileham. “It can easily cost a disaster relief volunteer R20 000 just for the essential equipment and short-wave radio that is needed. This does not even include training.
“On top of that, the operational costs of an organisation like this can be significant. Just the monthly licensing fee per radio is R200 with nearly 100 volunteers.”
Mileham says that short wave radios are essential since it is the only communication platform that is stable enough to weather nearly any eventuality.
“We need funds to continue with and expand the important work we are doing in our communities. Just R1 000 will train a volunteer in radio communication and Disaster Area Damage Assessments. Just R5 000 will also provide a two-way radio and reflective vest.”
Anyone interested in contributing to the Disaster Relief CERT can contact the organisation at donations@disasterreliefcert.org.za.
