Volunteer team prepared to assist in county emergencies

BELLAIRE — During last weekend's White Pine Stampede, they were out on the ski trail, keeping an eye on skiers and prepared to jump in to help anyone suffering from hypothermia, dehydration, or injury.

During the county's Paddle Antrim events, they have been in kayaks out on the water, ready to assist participants in need. As it turned out, during one event a sharp eye and a quick call to Antrim County's 911 dispatch saved the life of a paddler suffering from anaphylactic shock.

At all of Antrim County's mass vaccination clinics at the Helena Township Hall last year, they were there, helping to organize the events that resulted in more than 8,000 vaccinations. Before the clinics, they were out and about, delivering masks and taking care of a myriad of other small tasks needed to fight the pandemic. 

And in the event of a disaster or emergency of any kind, you can be sure they'll be there as well. 

That's what Antrim County's all-volunteer Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) is all about. 

"Although we hope situations like that won't ever happen, if it does, we have a trained team of volunteers ready, willing and able to assist our first responders and medical professionals," said Antrim County Emergency Management Director Leslie Meyers, who created and coordinates the group. Meyers activated the team in 2018, after realizing that she needed staff to be a more effective emergency manager.

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