Polo Park East aided their neighbors with golf carts and manpower at the height of last January's wildfire. The blaze was literally a trial by fire for the team which staffed the command post, directed traffic and scared up food for firefighters. The group was this month honored by the Polk County Commission. Deputy Fire Chief Rick Parnell Thursday applauded the group's efforts and wholly supported expanding the program to other areas. In the event of a disaster, the CERT responds to the community's immediate needs before professional rescuers.
Training includes first aid, firefighting and light rescue.
The team's wildfire experience convinced Smith to add traffic control to the curriculum and expand the firefighting section.