Agoura Hills team CERTain to help
By Stephanie Bertholdo bertholdo@theacorn.com

READY- In time of need, the fire department often receives support from the Agoura Hills Community Emergency Response Team.

The Community Emergency Response Team in Agoura announced a new group of leaders.

Carol Tubelis, Agoura Hills' emergency operations coordinator, introduced CERT's new board of directors at the Jan. 17 meeting. Tubelis will continue in charge of the "triage/medical" committee and will be assisted by Valerie Fox, who was appointed deputy in charge.

Chris Dodd, an administrative analyst for the city of Agoura Hills, will continue to serve as the CERT deputy director.

Ben Morowitz was appointed secretary and Kirk Allegro as treasurer.

Bill Novik now heads the neighborhood emergency network, and Bob Hazard is serving as the network's deputy. Roberta Morowitz is in charge of community events with Barbie Bridge as deputy.

Gary Bail was appointed to the new search and rescue committee. Tony Wertenbruch will head "logistics" with Elliot Ross as deputy.

Dodd outlined CERT's accomplishments last year. He said 97 people in Agoura Hills and surrounding areas have been CERTtrained over the past 18 months. Thirty-four people are active members and eight are on reserve.

Thirteen community events were supported by CERT, from the Concerts in the Park series and Reyes Adobe Days to the Halloween patrol with the Lost Hills Sheriff's Station.

Training last year was completed on many fronts, including mass care and shelter, fire suppression, traffic control, first aid and others.

Roberta Morowitz, a longtime CERT member with her husband, Ben, hopes membership can be expanded.

"New people bring in all this wisdom," she said.

The neighborhood emergency network, including inhouse communications training and neighborhood assignments complete with driving directions for every area in the city, was launched last year, Dodd said.

Other accomplishments included the completion of an emergency supply annex, a successful equestrian evacuation event, and the creation of manuals, handouts and policies and procedures.

Dodd said the city collaborated with West Med Ambulance Service to create a lecture series to heighten awareness of emergency medical policies and procedures.

Dodd outlined numerous goals for 2007. Another emergency annex at Forest Cove Park is expected to be completed this year, and the group is planning to conduct a Neighborhood Jamboree and an equine microchipping event.

CERT also expects to launch a medical directory listing trained medical professionals who live in Agoura Hills, Dodd said.

The business community will be tapped this year to help broaden the network of communication during an emergency.

Communication also will be expanded to include a brochure on emergency preparedness for each Agoura Hills household.

Red Cross training will be offered and search and rescue and triage teams will be formed.

City Manager Greg Ramirez thanked the volunteers for their dedication to keeping the community safe. "People like you are critical, especially in times of disaster," Ramirez said.

Mayor Pro Tem John Edelston said he was happy CERT programs are being expanded, and was particularly pleased with the development of the medical directory.

"I know you all put in a lot of effort and a lot of time," Edelston said.

Bill Novak was named "Member of the Year" and many volunteers were honored for their work.

The next CERT training class is scheduled in February. Call Carol Tubelis at (818) 597-7302 for further information, or via email at ctubelis@ci.agourahills.ca.us.