CERT trains for emergency housing

SIDNEY -- Coaches encourage their teams to practice like it's the game, so the game will be that much better.

In the same way, Region 21 and The Red Cross partnered for exercises at Evangelical Free Church.

"The purpose of the exercise was to partner with the Red. Cross on shelter training. Today we actually set up a mock shelter underneath Red Cross. [I] believe it worked out very well today," Leal said.

The exercise covered how to receive and account for people seeking shelter including what questions to ask and needs the person might have. The exercise also addressed accountability of the volunteers and responders.

"The details of the exercise was to make sure we had the correct paperwork that is needed to be filled out as evacuees come into the shelter, setting up our tables, setting up our signage, setting up our cots, and everything that goes along with a shelter," Leal said.

Planning and preparation for a disaster is a commitment that never stops, according to Leal.

"It's ongoing. Continuing training is how we set up and keep going. Like anything else, planning and training exercises; that's what it's based on," he said.

Severe weather is the primary concern for emergency management, Leal said. He added with Interstate 80, U.S. Highway 385, Highway 30 and the railroads the potential for a hazmat spill has to be considered as well.

"Yeah, so CERT Team meets every month. It's the third Tuesday of every month, Sidney Fire Station. We start at 6:30 p.m. We do have a basic CERT training coming up April 24. It'll start at 6:30 p.m., go to 10 p.m. that night, and then Saturday the 25th it'll start at 8 a.m. and usually end around 3-3:30 in the afternoon," he said.