Volunteers needed for Major Emergency Response Team

News - Fire

San Juan Island Fire Rescue is looking for volunteers to join its newly formed Major Emergency Response Team (MERT).

The MERT volunteers may be requested to staff the fire stations receiving and giving information during a major emergency where usual communications are down, such as a large wild land fire, earthquake, or major snowstorm. This is an integral part of helping people in your neighborhood during an emergency.

Volunteers must live within walking distance of their local fire station and attend a training session once a year. They cannot be a member of any other emergency response team on the island so that if an emergency does arise, they can devote their time to MERT. They will help disseminate available information to agencies who will be interested such as Fire, Medical, and Red Cross. They may also be the contact person for family members.

MERT members will not be involved in most emergency procedures. They will only respond to major emergencies.

Come to the meeting and find out what the MERT is all about. The MERT will meet yearly. The first meeting will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, April 25, 2013 at the Mullis Street Fire station.

Those interested in volunteering for this most important, satisfying job should contact Ron Garner, Logistics Crew Chief at 378-7722.