"ONE INDIVIDUAL, ONE FAMILY, ONE COMMUNITY"
Mary Ellen Salzano, CERT Team Member, Morgan Hill, California

I am the power of one, multiplied by many across the United States actively volunteering to improve and safeguard America.  Our President asked that people volunteer to strengthen our communities by being prepared in case of a natural disaster or terrorist incident.  I am rising to that call and ask that you too consider joining me. 

Every Tuesday evening starting April 1 thru May 13th, I'll be actively involved in a program, "Community Emergency Response Training.  I will learn safety precautions during a disaster: individual, home and community preparedness, how to fight a fire in my own, or my neighbor's home, types of fire extinguishes and how to operate them, light search and rescue techniques, basic first aid and health considerations such as sanitation, hygiene and water purification, how to communicate when normal communications means are not available, how to provide "psychological first aid", actions to take following a suspected terrorism incident, and on May 17th, I'll be part of a disaster team exercise, which will use all the skills and knowledge I have gained in a real life drill.

I am grateful that many years ago, a dedicated group of people formed the South County Neighborhood Disaster Preparedness Project to help others learn to survive and to thrive after a major disruption.  So, on Tuesday nights, you'll find me at 15670 Monterey Road in Morgan Hill learning how to be strong, be a protector, be a survivor.  The power of one is all it takes to change the world.

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