Disaster doesn’t strike too often, but when it does, there’s a certain group of people that you’d want at your side.

The efforts of the West Seneca Community Emergency Response Team over the last four years have yielded its honorary selection as the 2012 Community Service Organization of the Year by the West Seneca Chamber of Commerce.

The team comprises a group of citizens — more than 80 members and growing — who are trained in fire suppression and safety, emergency medical services, CPR, search and rescue operations, and disaster preparedness.

Training programs are typically held twice a year at Vigilant Fire Hall in West Seneca. Classes run for approximately seven weeks and conclude with a disaster simulation.

C.E.R.T. has been called into action only a couple of times since its inception in 2007 — a good thing, according to Disaster Coordinator John Gullo. Unfortunately, the team was not yet fully operational to aid in the aftermath of the “surprise” October storm in 2006. It has since proved beneficial in the wake of the December 2010 storm when more than 30 inches of snow fell over a three-day span. Hundreds of motorists were trapped on Interstate 90.

Team members assisted police and fire personnel in rescuing roughly 50 drivers who were taken to Ebenezer United Church of Christ, a designated emergency shelter. Members also managed communications in the town’s Emergency Operation Center behind Town Hall.

The team has also been used in such non-emergency situations as organizing and operating a point of distribution for H1N1 vaccinations; offering monthly presentations to the town as well as other training; and participating in Community Days. Also many members possess a ham radio license.

“No other C.E.R.T. has gotten recognition like this in the area,” said Gullo, noting that not every municipality in

Western New York has such a team and that West Seneca’s is one of about five. “It’s a kudos to our folks here.”

The program is completely voluntary and operates off donations and grants. In addition to Gullo, who leads the training, there are two team leaders: Howard Marien and John Morrow. They will be accepting the accolade on behalf of the entire C.E.R.T. at the Feb. 29 awards dinner.

As Morrow wrote on the Chamber’s nomination form: “It’s all about preparedness.”