There is no doubt that professional medical people have earned our gratitude and respect. There are simply not enough accolades we could bestow upon them. Same could be said about other front liners, like police, fire, essential business employees such as grocery and pharmacy workers. With that said there is another story to be told. Here in the Nashua area it is the Greater Nashua Community Emergency Response Team. CERT team members are totally volunteer. No wages, no reimbursement, no hazardous duty pay. You say “I’ve never heard of them, what have they done?” When it was decided to setup the Auxiliary Care Site at Nashua South High School, CERT volunteers inventoried, catalogued, and then moved tens of thousands pieces of personal protection equipment to the site. Set up a supply chain and logistics area. Worked with the National Guard to setup beds, IV stands, check in and administrative areas. Created hot and cold zones by sealing off areas for starters. We also support the city’s COVID-19 testing efforts.

And when a vaccine is available we are already prepared to support a massive vaccination effort. In case you are wondering Nashua CERT is under the Nashua Public Health Emergency Preparedness Director Mark Monroe. Our program manager is Bill Lincoln assisted by Moe Turcotte. If you know these folks give them a social distance high five. To learn more about CERT and Nashua’s team. Search for Nashua CERT.