The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program educates volunteers about disaster preparedness for the hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations. CERT offers a consistent, nationwide approach to volunteer training and organization that professional resp
onders can rely on during disaster situations, allowing them to focus on more complex tasks. Fact : In 95 % of all emergencies the victim or bystander provides the first immediate assistance on the scene. What do CERT do in an Emergency ? Under the direction of the local emergency responders, CERT teams help provide critical support by giving immediate assistance to victims, pro viding damage assessment information , and organization other volunteers at a disaster site. Volunteers trained in CERT also offers a potential workforce for preforming duties such as shelter support, crowd control, and evacuation. The role of CERT volunteer is help others until trained emergency personal arrive . How does CERT help the community ? In addition to supporting emergency responders during a disaster, the CERT program builds strong working relationships between emergency responders and the people they serve. CERT teams also help the community year-round with by helping with community emergency plans , neighborhood emergency exercises , preparedness outreach , fire safety education , and workplace safety. The benefits of CERT training :
CERT training takes 20 hours to complete and provide critical skills in emergency preparedness and response. Participants learn how to :
• Identity and anticipate hazards.
• Reduce fire hazards in the home and disasters.
• Extinguish small fires.
• Assist emergency responders.
• Conduct light search and rescue.
• Set up medical techniques.
• Help reduce survivor stress. Who should take CERT training :
• People interested in taking an active role in hometown preparedness.
• Neighborhoods watch groups.
• Scouting and youth organization’s
• Student, teachers, and administrators
• Members of clubs and civic organizations .
