ALERT Responder Benjamin Bergeron, the 18-year-old son of Emile and Anne Bergeron of LaPlace, recently completed Phase One of the Air Land Emergency Resource Team training program at the International ALERT Academy in Big Sandy, Texas.

The goal of the ALERT Program is to equip young men with a ministry mind-set, preparing them with the skills, priorities and attitudes to function in life as responsible and selfless servants of God, regardless of what their profession may be.

Benjamin successfully completed nine weeks of Basic Training, which includes the pressures of a military-style “boot camp.” The focus of Basic Training is on intense spiritual, physical and mental training that requires the young men to continually depend upon God and to serve one another. This rigorous nine weeks of wilderness hiking, physical exercise, basic living skills, memorization of Scripture and learning respect for authority builds the disciplines necessary for service.

Bergeron and his teammates began their training at 4:30 a.m. daily with a one-hour personal devotion time, followed by physical training as a unit. Morning classes focused on character qualities, evangelism, communication skills and Biblical principles. Afternoons were spent in more classes and/or projects, which emphasized personal motivation, diligent teamwork, respect for authority and practical skills such as land navigation, ropes and knots, wilderness survival and first aid.

Benjamin was one of 60 young men who completed this training and received awards in Scripture Memory, Physical Training Excellence, Endurance and Cadet Membership.

Benjamin will continue with Emergency Response Training, which involves specialized training in counseling, disaster response, basic fire fighting, high-angle rescue, public speaking, Rescue Systems One, emergency medicine, search and rescue, working with a chain saw and search-and-recovery diving. The men will also participate in disaster relief, rescue work and service projects as opportunities arise.

The final phase of ALERT is Advanced Training, which offers concentrated training in trades and valuable skills, including aircraft maintenance, auto body, auto mechanics, aviation, construction, emergency medicine, emergency services operations, law enforcement, leadership and management and service response team training. This training enables the young men to support their present or future ministry, to be assets to their future employers and to be valuable members of their communities.