22-05-2025
First Monroe County Deaf CERT Program class graduates, equipped to assist in local disasters
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — In the face of disasters including fires and snowstorms, many folks expect first responders to be readily available and answer the call. But, if they're delayed due to another emergency, Community Emergency Responder Training (CERT) teams are expected to step in and assist.
The program was founded in California in the 1980s but has since made its way to Rochester. On Wednesday, the 39th class graduated at the Monroe Community College Public Safety Training Facility on Scottsville Road. However, this class was geared to empower specific members of our community: those who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Battalion Chief for the Rochester Fire Department Joe Luna shared his excitement for the new partnership between RIT's National Technical Institute for the Deaf and Monroe County's CERT program.
'It's great to have them as resources to help the community, to help in setting up shelters or in potential large snow events in the future, things along those lines,' Luna said.
Before graduating, the class was expected to complete a final evolution, which is a disaster simulation in which they're required to put all they've learned into action.
Luna explained what students learn over the course of nine weeks.
'It's a lot of medical training, some basic ideas behind psychology, fire safety, search and rescue techniques,' Luna said.
CERT Team Leader for Monroe County's 39th class Matthew Parsley, who is hard of hearing, explained how he sees this partnership as an asset to the community.
'The Rochester community has the largest per capita deaf population, so it's a real gain to have a team that's designed to communicate directly with folks using American Sign Language (ASL),' Parsley said.
The Rochester Fire Department plans to hold future CERT trainings in the future, including classes for those who are not hard-of-hearing. More information on how to get involved can be found here.
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