The seniors center in Morristown town hall has seen lots of traffic lately.
A few short weeks ago, it hosted a jaunty Christmas party for seniors. A few weeks before that, it was a warming station for scores of residents seeking heat and light in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.
On Thursday, the town’s Office of Emergency Management returned to the spacious room, beseeching residents to join the Community Emergency Response Team before the next disaster strikes.
“I won’t put them in harm’s way,” promised Frank Somma, the town’s emergency management coordinator. He counted 57 visitors to the CERT presentation.
Mayor Tim Dougherty recognizes Frank Somma’s emergency efforts
In the wake of Sandy, volunteers like Councilman Stefan Armington and Planning Board Member Eduardo Garchitorena went door-to-door, delivering information about where and how to receive help.
Stefan was taking his CERT training course one day before Sandy hit New Jersey.
“They said, ‘We’re going to cut it short a couple hours. You’re hired!'” he recounted with a wide grin.
Eddie G., as Eduardo is known in town hall, started volunteering around the time Tropical Storm Irene struck in 2011. Serving feels good, he said.
“It’s helping people, giving back to the community,” Eddie said. “In times of crisis, if everyone helps each other, it would be a better world.”
