The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program trains people to be prepared for disasters that may impact their area. This training includes disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations. CERT is about readiness, people helping people, rescuer safety, and doing the greatest good for the greatest number. People who go through CERT training have a better understanding of the potential threats to their home, workplace and community and can take the right steps to lessen the effect of these hazards on themselves, their family, friends or associates, and their surroundings. There are many types of disasters including earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes, flooding, terrorism, fire, storms, crime, blackout, natural disasters, etc. Are you prepared to save yourself, your family, your pets, your neighbors, your co-workers? Do you know what to do during and after an emergency or disaster? Following a major disaster, due to multiple victims, communication failures, road blockages, etc., it is estimated that it may be two weeks before professional fire and/or medical responders can get to you. During this time people will have to rely on each other for immediate life saving and sustaining needs. Through training citizens can manage utilities and put out small fires, provide basic medical aid, search for and rescue victims safely, and organize themselves and spontaneous volunteers to be effective. Historically friends and neighbors spontaneously try to help each other, and do save many lives, but without proper training, they have also caused the loss of several lives. Using the training learned in the classroom and during exercises, CERT members can assist others in their neighborhood or workplace following an event when professional responders are not immediately available to help. CERT members are also trained to assist professional emergency responders. They also are encouraged to support emergency response agencies by taking a more active role in emergency preparedness projects in their community. The CERT concept was developed and implemented by the Los Angeles City Fire Dept. (LAFD) in 1985. The Whittier Narrows earthquake of 1987 confirmed the need for training citizens as well as private and government employees. The training helps people understand their responsibility in preparing for disaster. It also increases their ability to safely help themselves, their families and their neighbors. FEMA and other agencies have adopted and expanded the CERT materials believing them applicable to all hazards. Communities in 28 states conduct CERT training. You may check with your local fire department or click on the following link to see about training in your area: http://www.citizencorps.gov/cert/
