New Page 2

	CERT RESCUE IN FLORIDA Mark R. Tobert, FPEM, Preparedness & Response Coordinator, Hernando County Emergency Management, Florida A deluge of rain soaking I-75 Aug. 1 made it slow going for Rob Robison. The burning mini-van in front of him didn't make his trip go any faster either. Robison was traveling from Seminole, Fla. back to Brooksville in the pouring rain, while thunder rolled, forks of lightning stabbed the sky, and thick black clouds of smoke billowed from under the van's hood. When the van, driven by a couple on their way to Delaware, pulled over onto the highway's shoulder, Robison did too, parking upwind from the burning vehicle. When he got out of his truck, Robison was in full rescue mode, relying on his weeks of training in Hernando County's Community Emergency Response Team (CERT).
<"When I ran to (the van's) side door, there were already flames under the hood," Robison said. "The couple was in there, but there were also seven full-grown white German shepherds." And there were only two leashes, and most of the dogs, according to Robison, had no collars. Leashing the dogs three at a time, he guided them and their owners upwind to the tree line, then went back to the burning van to toss out the couple's personal belongings and to disconnect the trailer. "I was really concerned about the thunder and lightning," Robison said. "Here we are, three people, seven dogs, out in the open with no shelter. And on the side of the road on I-75." Minutes later, with everyone at a safe distance, the "gas tank went," Robison said, and the van exploded, with flames shooting upward "20 to 30 feet high."
hen fire rescue units arrived on the scene, Robison reported to the incident commander - as his training had taught him to do - and told him he would get out of their way. He was asked to help at the scene instead. Robison's actions and quick thinking were recognized Aug. 7 at CERT's monthly meeting, held in the county commissioners' meeting room in the Hernando County Government Center.
The award, signed by county commissioners, was given to Robison by Mark Tobert, the preparedness and response coordinator for the Hernando County Emergency Management Services Department (EMS). "Rob has made us all very proud," Tobert said as he handed Robison the award.
	EMS coordinates the CERT program, which has provided basic skills training in disaster preparedness, fire suppression, medical operations, and light search and rescue to over 150 local residents during the past two years. CERT-trained individuals provide emergency assistance when they are the first on the scene and then continue to work with emergency response personnel through the incident to supplement and enhance their efforts.
"CERT is a program where every member has made a commitment to our community without asking for something in return," said Tom Leto, EMS director. "Rob is an outstanding example of that commitment." Robison, however, said he doesn't consider himself a hero - he just feels he was at the wrong place at the right time. "Anybody who cares would have done this," Robison said. "I was just thinking of their safety."

Return to *THE CONNECTION*