Gwinnett Daily Post

WINDER -- The Barrow County Community Emergency Response Team recently got a philanthropic jolt from a local company.

The Johns Manville Corporation in Winder donated heavy-duty batteries that will act as a backup for the CERT's communication system, officials said.

The communication system is used by team members when deployed in emergency situations. It's considered critical to the safety of team members. Having a backup, leaders say, will greatly increase the value of the system.

The CERT is a group of trained volunteers under Barrow County Emergency Services.

Johns Manville manufactures building insulation, commercial roofing, roof insulation and specialty products for commercial, industrial and residential applications.

"We appreciate the CERT members that volunteer their time and energy to the program," public safety department Chief Dennis Merrifield said in a release. "We also greatly appreciate businesses like Johns Manville that support the Public Safety Departments in Barrow County and the programs we operate."