APPLETON, Wis. — The husband and wife duo of Dan and Bev Lenz are eagerly awaiting the official unveiling of the new CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) truck and trailer.
They said they hope to interest the public in what CERT volunteers do, but also want to be equipped to better serve first responders in the area.
“It just warms your heart because our firefighters are putting their life on the line every time that they go out and if we can be here to support them, that’s what we’re here for,” said Bev Lenz.
CERT volunteers respond to major emergency events and offer food, shelter and other necessities to first responders.
“Combined locks had a big warehouse fire and our volunteers were there for over 24 hours. All through the night, people brought food. We were there to help them. They used our bathroom, which in our old rig was very tiny, where this one is such a blessing,” explained Bev Lenz.
Bev Lenz said the old bathroom was near the food area and was also small, especially for geared-up firefighters. A strong generator, running water and temperature controls are a few of the conveniences the group designed into the new trailer.
“We want a lot of outlets for coffee pots, for the Nesco’s, and they’re on different circuits, so we don’t have to risk blowing a fuse or circuit,” said Dan Lenz.
Captain Nathan Borman of the Outagamie County Sheriff’s Office said when CERT is on the scene, first responders can focus more of their efforts on the emergency.
“That’s just a sign of what a great community we have right here in the Fox Valley,” said Borman. “A group like this not only exists, but is very popular. It’s something that a lot of people are volunteering to be a part of and they never seem to hesitate to respond to our calls. It’s just amazing that these folks exist for us.”
The group, Friends of CERT, helped to raise funds for the new rig by selling raffle tickets.
“You can’t be afraid for people to say no,” said Dan Lenz.
Paula Van De Leygraaf, Outagamie County Emergency Management director, said CERT has been around since 2009.
“This is the greatest group of people I’ve ever worked with and I’ve worked with a lot of different organizations. I’m not saying they don’t have great volunteers as well, but our team gets up at two in the morning in the middle of January and they go out and they provide these services,” said Van De Leygraaf.
Outagamie County chipped in with some American Rescue Plan Act Funds. Local first responders also put their money where their mouth was, showing what CERT means to them.
“The fire departments in Outagamie County were really generous. Most of the fire departments gave donations,” said Dan Lenz.
CERT anticipates that their new rig will be stocked up and ready to respond to emergencies by Nov. 1.
“It’s just a wonderful resource we get that helps us get through that scene, makes our work easier,” said Borman.
CERT will hold an open house for the public to check out the new truck and trailer on Nov. 7, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Festival Foods on Northland Avenue in Appleton.