Due to unforeseen circumstances, the starting date for the next Hamden CERT Class must be postponed until the following week, Thursday, April 10th. We apologize for any inconvenience. We still have seats available and if you know of anyone that you feel would have an interest in this informative training, please let them know. We are looking forward to seeing all of you soon! We will be conducting our next CERT Training Program starting on Thursday, April 10th, 2025, at 6:30 pm. This certified 8-week CERT training program, available at no charge, is held at the Dunbar Hill Volunteer Fire Company Station 8 at 420 Dunbar Hill Road. Training consists of how to make critical decisions during everyday emergencies or any major incident. CERT training gives you the skills and equipment to prepare for emergencies and be able to protect yourselves, your family, friends, and neighbors. Upon completion, you will receive a free backpack, complete with flashlight, first aid kit, and other emergency equipment and supplies. With your graduation from this 20-hour, nationally certified course you will receive your FEMA Certificate of Completion, State ID Card, and the opportunity to become an active member of the Hamden CERT Program if you wish. Subjects covered will be Disaster Preparedness, Fire Safety & Suppression, Victim Search & Rescue, Medical Triage & Treatment, Disaster Impact on Victims & Rescuers, Situation Awareness, and Team Organization & Operations. Completed applications  must be returned to the Office of the Fire Chief, 2372 Whitney Avenue, 2nd Floor Hamden, CT. 06518 no later than Friday, March 28th.

February 17, 2025 We had a great turnout for our monthly training session with 34 members attending a tour of the Connecticut Transit bus terminal on State Street. Thank you to the CT Transit personnel Chris Allen and Frank DiGistina along with Senior CERT Member Jackie Romprey (also a CT Transit Employee) for making this informative training session possible. The main subject of this tour was to see the operation, equipment, and safety features of the battery electric buses (BEBs). Due to the increase in chargeable lithium-ion battery powered vehicles, this class gave our members better insight into the operation, charging, and safety issues that all of us should be aware of. Many lithium-ion batteries (either small appliances or tools with both small & large batteries) have caused tragic results and major fires due to incorrect charging methods and incorrect care nationwide, causing many serious injuries and fatalities. This class is another example of the ongoing safety training that our CERT Members participate in even after our basic training.

The Hamden CERT program had a very busy year providing service to the Hamden community. Along with the many planned community events, the team was also active with public service, emergency activations, emergency preparedness, public education, and our ongoing training schedule. Hamden CERT provided logistical support to Hamden Fire Department, Hamden Police Department, Hamden Parks & Recreation, Town Center Park Commission, Hamden Arts, Keefe Community Center, and the Hamden Veterans Commission along with Hamden Community Services. We also were instrumental in the 2024 Hamden Holiday Toy/Food Drive that took place over the Christmas Holiday Seasons! On April 18th, we graduated ten (10) students from our 22nd CERT Basic Training Class at the Dunbar Hill Volunteer Fire Station. We conducted another class (Hamden CERT Basic Training Class 23) that started in September and graduated eleven (11) students on November 14th. Here are the details of our activity for 2024: Emergency Calls - 5 emergency activations included CERT Response for four residential structure fires where we assisted displaced occupants and supplied rehabilitation services for our firefighters. CERT assisted with one other emergency activation to assist the Hamden Fire Department with logistical support during an extended operation at Sleeping Giant State Park during a search for a missing person on a very warm day back on July 13th. Hamden CERT provided 92 service hours related to emergency activations during the year. Planned Community Events – 14 requests for assistance and logistical support that included: Earth Day, our Fireworks and Summer Concert Series, along with the organization of the Memorial Day Parade, The Hamden Festival & Road Race, Hamden Middle School 2-day Graduation Ceremony, National Night Out, Caribbean Festival, Hamden Animal Control Fundraiser, Brooksvale Fall Festival and the Silver Bells Holiday Venue. Hamden CERT provided 780 service hours related to Community Events during the year. Public Service/Public Education –29 We offered over 40 hours of emergency preparedness training to our residents at our two CERT Basic Training Classes along with ongoing review classes for our sworn members. Fire Safety and Emergency Preparedness information is also distributed by our members throughout the year at planned events, with classes given to community agencies on request. Hamden CERT provided 778 service hours related to Public Service & Emergency Preparedness Training during the year.

December 2, 2024 The Hamden CERT advance team was activated three times in a 15-day period for three major (2 alarm) residential structure fires. On Sunday, November 17th Hamden Fire Department responded to a single-family home on Country Hills Road that was fully involved in fire on arrival of the first responding companies. During the ongoing red flag conditions, (very dry & high wind) the fire was contained to the structure of origin and luckily all of the residents were able to escape the home. Hamden CERT assisted the HFD, AMR and Red Cross with rehabilitation of the firefighters and relocation of the occupants. Two days later on November 19th Hamden CERT was dispatched to another 2 alarm fire in a 3-story multi-family apartment building on Park Road. There was heavy fire damage that was held to 1 unit with some extension to the unit above. Seven individuals were displaced and Hamden CERT members assisted in their relocation and provided rehabilitation and logistical support to the firefighters. On December 1st, Hamden CERT assisted Hamden Fire for a residential structure fire on Second Street. Firefighters made a great stop of a fire in the walls of the 2nd floor that had extended into the 3rd floor. All of the occupants were able to evacuate the structure and were assisted by Hamden Community Services and the Red Cross for relocation. Again, there were no injuries to occupants or firefighters. All three incidents are under investigation of the Hamden Fire Marshal's Office. Also on scene at all 3 fires were the Hamden Building Official, Red Cross, AMR, Hamden Community Services. and utility companies.