Emergency response packs distributed by city

Twenty-one yellow backpacks stuffed with emergency supplies were presented Thursday night at Cape Girardeau's Fire Station No. 1 to two local teams that completed courses in Citizen Emergency Response Training, or CERT.

Twenty-nine members of the Civil Air Patrol and 18 retired, former and active local U.S. Marines are the city's two recognized response teams that would be called in to assist in a disaster.

The packs and supplies were paid for through a $4,000 grant from the State Emergency Management Agency. The supplies include such things as first aid kits, flash lights, vests, batteries and medical items. This was the second year the city received the grant, which has also paid for CERT books and class supplies.

"One of our missions is to be as active in the community as we can," said retired Marine Ron MacCubbin.

"We saw CERT as an opportunity to put our military training to good use."

So far, more than 2,000 people have been trained in CERT in the county, he said.

The next CERT course begins Jan. 21 at Southeast Missouri State University, said fire Capt. Paul Breitenstein. The class is free. For information to join, call Breitenstein at 334-3211.