RICHMOND HILL, Ga. () – The City of Richmond Hill is collaborating with local volunteers to establish a Community Emergency Response Team to assist during emergency situations.

Tropical Storm Debby is a day that remains unforgettable for those who experienced it. The storm released significant rainfall on areas of Bryan County.

“The flood changed things,” Mayor Russ Carpenter said. “That was something different.”

The disaster was part of the motivation for the development of the ‘Community Emergency Response Team,’ or CERT, by FEMA. It is intended to support first responders during emergencies.

“Certainly, with our emergency responders and which can be spread thin in an emergency situation no matter how prepared you are,” Carpenter said. “…it can certainly aid us in just putting more, more people in place when needed.”

Carpenter said the team is made up of volunteers who complete rigorous training to assist with traffic control, search and rescue and supply deliveries.

“A lot of our CERT program members so far have been medical and military background which they have their experience in these kinds of situations,” said Carpenter.

It is a part of a new initiative to get people involved in emergency preparedness. Carpenter says the city is also moving forward with projects like flood remediation programs, and he is confident where things are headed.

“In the aftermath, there were some righteously righteous angers and some of it directed at us,” he said. “We take it. That’s what we’re that’s part of our job.  But to our credit, I think we’re more we were better prepared for the flooding.  you still can’t be 100% prepared considering where we live.  but we’ll be ready to go with some help for residents.”

The team will be on the ground, serving the Richmond Hill community should an emergency arise during hurricane season.