LONDONDERRY — As Londonderry’s emergency response team continues to expand its programs, members are hoping to recruit some new volunteers this fall.

Next month, ALERT (A Londonderry Emergency Response Team) is planning an open house in hopes of reaching out to interested residents.

The open house is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 18, from 7 to 9 p.m. in the community room at the Londonderry Police Department on Mammoth Road.

“We just want people to know more about us, that we’ve grown so much over the past few years,” ALERT Vice President Colleen Monks said. “And if you’re interested in volunteering with us, there’s truly a job for everybody.”

ALERT was formed following the 2003 death of Londonderry resident Dylan Drinan. The 3-year-old boy perished after wandering away from his home.

The organization’s mission is to train a dedicated group of local volunteers to assist the local police and fire departments in times of need and act as public educators, in hopes of avoiding similar tragedies in the future.

The group is completely self-funded and run by volunteers.

These days, ALERT has around 45 members and previous “missions” have included assisting at the scenes of fires and accidents, directing traffic during town events and at the election polls, helping locate adults and children lost in the woods, and helping to staff emergency shelters set up inside the high school gymnasium during severe storms and prolonged power outages.

Though the organization doesn’t self-deploy, members are encouraged to be ready at any time they might be called into service by the police and fire departments or by state Fish and Game officials.

For the past six years or so, team members have also paid annual visits to local schools, where they offer outdoor safety tips to the kids.

During the spring, ALERT members visit the homes of area seniors to test smoke detectors and burglar alarms.

Senior citizens are also taught about preventing falls, with staff from the Londonderry Fire Department assisting in the outreach.

Monks said the group is always seeking dedicated volunteers aged 18 or older to help meet the ever-growing demand for services.

Volunteers are asked to make a yearly commitment of approximately 45 hours for training and regular meetings, as well as emergency assistance.

All volunteers are provided with free training through ALERT staff and other certified instructors. Among the topics typically covered are CPR and first aid, proper map and compass use, and emergency radio communications.

For more information on the ALERT team, including volunteer opportunities, visit www.londonderryalert.org.

aguilmet@newstote.com