The South Gulf Cove ( SGC ) community is very fortunate
to have a dedicated group of highly motivated residents that volunteered
to take the required training for the purpose of forming and developing a
local Community Emergency Response Team ( C.E.R.T. ). Their training
consisted of eight classroom modules totaling approximately twenty hours,
plus an additional three hour practical exercise. This training addresses
fundamentals in fire suppression techniques, disaster medical assistance,
light search and rescue, and several other important related topics. The
team currently consists of thirteen certified C.E.R.T. members. Several
members have taken additional training in basic first aid and CPR/AED life
support techniques. Four team members have accomplished additional
training and are certified instructors for the Charlotte County C.E.R.T.
program. At this time, South Gulf Cove has the only recognized C.E.R.T.
group in Charlotte County. C.E.R.T. is a very flexible program that almost
every person may participate in. The heart of the C.E.R.T. program is “A
Neighbor Helping Neighbor” system with “Doing the Greatest Good for the
Greatest Number” as our directive for operating and training.
Furthermore, the current team members have voluntarily contributed
personal funds from the inception of the SGC program, and they continue to
do so. Our C.E.R.T. group is also very privileged to have the support of
all the organizations in SGC. The South Gulf Cove Homeowners Association,
The South Gulf Cove Yacht Club, The South Gulf Cove Crafty Girls, and the
Conservancy and Community Trust of South Gulf Cove Inc.( CCT ). Through
their continued support, they have significantly improved the team’s
ability to acquire equipment necessary to sustain our efforts. We are very
grateful for this cooperation, support, and encouragement.
There may always be the possibility that normal county provided emergency
services could be negatively impacted by a major disastrous event.
Customary communication paths may be impinged upon which could result in
some response delays. Access to our community could also be obstructed. As
soon as possible, and when safe to do so, our SGC C.E.R.T. assessment
patrols will start a visual survey of our community in an effort to
determine the damage levels and provide aid to those that require it. If
our community would experience a significant destructive incident, our
C.E.R.T. provides a first response benefit to all the residents of SGC.
Our C.E.R.T. group would certainly progress if we could expand all
components of the local program. Therefore, we continuously promote the
C.E.R.T. concept and invite interested persons to contact us if they
believe they are willing to invest the time and energy to provide this
necessary service to our residents. For information about the C.E.R.T.
program, or if you would like to join our team, please contact; Bob Price
at 697-8000, Steve GaNun at 828-3626, or Ernie Stevens at 697-8766.
Bob Price
SGC Team Leader
SOUTH GULF COVE
