RAHWAY — The Rahway Police Department is looking for people who want to make a difference in their community. Volunteers will be trained to become Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) members.

When emergencies happen, CERT members can give critical support to first responders, provide immediate assistance to victims, and organize spontaneous volunteers at a disaster site. CERT members can also help with non-emergency projects that help improve the safety of the community.

The Rahway CERT team recently was activated to assist in the Hurricane Irene post-flood notification held in flood prone areas of Rahway. There are currently 40 trained members of the Rahway CERT.

The CERT program is designed to train and set up communications between first responders and the community to save lives following a major disaster. There will be eight sessions (20 hours) consisting of the following topics: Disaster Preparedness, Disaster Fire Suppression, Disaster Medical Operations Part 1, Disaster Medical Operations Part 2, Light Search & Rescue Operations, Disaster Psychology & Team Organization, and Terrorism. There will also be a final practical exercise realistic to this community help at the Union County Fire Academy.

The Rahway Police Department is now accepting applications from people within the community who are at least 21 years old. The training will be held at the Rahway Police Department Community Center located at 52 East Cherry Street on Wednesdays from March 7 until April 25, between at 6:30 and 9 p.m.

Applications may be obtained at the Rahway Police Department. For more information, contact Detective William Eicholz at (732) 827-2079.