Volunteers Needed
Gran Paradiso (GP) has a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), a volunteer organization that deploys in the aftermath of disasters in the community. GP-CERT provides immediate access control, damage assessment, light search and rescue, for staid, and communications in the hours following a major disaster. The success of the GP-CERT program is solely contingent on GP residents’ willingness to volunteer to play a role within the plan.
The GP-CERT is staffed by community residents who have volunteered their time and services to help our community recover from a major storm event. Planning, direction, and control of GP-CERT is provided by the Command Team consisting of an Incident Commander, Deputy Commander, Scribe, Communications Officer, Access Control Officer, Logistics Officer, and multiple Zone Leaders.
There is a continued need for volunteers to work in areas such as damage assessment, search and rescue, team organization, communications, and basic first aid. Volunteers will be assigned to tasks based upon their desires, skills, and experience. Background/training in these areas is encouraged, but not required. The GP-CERT training and preparation will allow community members to respond and assist each other in those hours between the incident and the return of our property management staff.
To volunteer, contact the GP-CERT incident Commander, Gordon Holtby, at
Gordon.holtby@gmail.com
Cash Donations Welcomed
The Gran Paradiso Community Emergency Response Team welcomes any and all cash donations to assist with purchasing supplies, as well as with training exercises and education of the volunteers. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide tax receipts, as we are not a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization. Please make checks out to Gran Paradiso POA and put GP-CERT in the memo section, and give the check to either our clubhouse management team staff or any GP-CERT Command Team member listed on this web-site.
Sarasota County Neighborhood Initiative Grant Volunteer Requirement
The Gran Paradiso Community Emergency Response Team has received a $9,762 award from the Sarasota County Neighborhood Initiative grant program. These funds will be used to purchase equipment and supplies needed by GP-CERT. However, we need to match the amount of the grant with volunteer hours at $20/hour or approximately 488 hours. Accordingly, please consider joining your neighbors in volunteering for the GP-CERT. No training is required, and we would welcome your involvement. To kick-start the process, please fill out the interactive GP-CERT Volunteer Information Form. Or, download the PDF and after completion, drop it off at the clubhouse front desk or send it by email to gordon.holtby@gmail.com.