CERT - Community Emergency Response Team

CERT

WHAT IS CERT?

CERT is a training program that prepares you to help yourself, your family, and your neighbors in the event of disaster. During an incident, emergency service personnel may not be able to reach everyone right away. By getting trained in CERT, you will have the skills to help emergency responders save lives and property.

Related Information

As a member of a CERT team, you can respond to disasters, participate in drills and exercises, and take additional training, CERT teams are known and trusted resources to emergency responders and their communities.

In 95 percent of emergencies the victim or bystander provides the first immediate assistance on the scene. Would you know what to do?

WHAT DO CERT TEAMS DO IN AN EMERGENCY?

Under the direction of local emergency responders, CERT teams help provide critical support by giving assistance to victims, providing damage assessment information at disaster site. Volunteers trained in CERT also offer a potential workforce for performing duties such as shelter support, crowd control, and evacuation. The Role of a CERT volunteer is to help others until trained emergency personnel arrive.

HOW DOES CERT HELP THE COMMUNITY?

In the 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 by helping with community emergency plans, neighborhood exercises, preparedness outreach, fire safety education and workplace safety.

THE BENEFITS OF CERT TRAINING

CERT training takes about 24 hours to complete and provides critical skills in emergency preparedness and response.

Participants learn how to:

  • Identify and anticipate hazards
  • Reduce fire hazards in the home and workplace
  • Extinguish small fires
  • Assist emergency responders
  • Conduct light search and rescue
  • Set up medical treatment areas
  • Help reduce survivor stress

Who should take CERT training?

  • People who are interested in taking an active role in hometown preparedness
  • Neighborhood watch groups
  • Community leaders
  • Parents
  • Communities of faith
  • Scouting and youth organizations
  • Student teachers and administrators
  • Members of clubs and civic organizations.

CERT training is a great way to feel empowered to protect yourself, your family and potentially your co0mmunity. Don’t wait for something to happen help yourself NOW.

CERT TRAINING CURRICULUM

Part I (24 Hours)

  • CERT & Disaster Preparedness
  • Disaster fire suppression
  • Disaster medical operations
  • Light Search & Rescue
  • Terrorism Awareness
  • Disaster Psychology
  • Community Animal Rescue Team (CART) September 2012

PART II (within one year of completion of Basic CERT the following must be taken)

  • Community First Aid
  • CPR
  • Hazardous Materials Awareness

ELECTIVES (optional)

  • Gas & Electric Utility Emergencies
  • Special needs of elderly and physically challenged
  • The Incident Command System
  • Shelter Management

CERT training is a great way to feel more empowered to protect yourself, your family and potentially your community. Don’t wait for something to happen help yourself NOW.

For information Contact:

  • Michael Ward, OEM Coordinator : 201-697-5244
  • Joseph Terraccino, Chief of Police : 201-440-0042