We recently completed a Community Emergency Response Team (C.E.R.T.) training program.  This course covered disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization and disaster medical operations. 

The 21 hour class consisted of lecture and hands on exercises over a 3 day period.  The instructors, Austin and Melissa, worked closely with us to ensure we understood the information.  The practice and the final exam was preparation for the next part of the course.

On our last day of the program, we put our training to the test as we responded to a simulated disaster.  The three days allowed for the group to bond which made our team work well together.  The simulation challenged each one of us and allowed the course to come full circle.  

We all came away from the C.E.R.T. training with the recognition that citizens can make a big difference in emergency situations.  This group is the first to complete the Community Emergency Response Team Training class in Kosciusko County.  Thank you to Melissa, Austin and the volunteers that helped in the simulation.  Also, a thank you to Ed Rock for donating the resources, backpacks and the equipment.  

If you are interested in being put on the mailing list for the next training opportuniy, please click APPLICATION to print out an application, fill it out and return it to World Compassion Network.

Please read the C.E.R.T. background information and typical class description for more information.

Please contact us with any questions at info@w-c-n.org or chrisl@w-c-n.org.

CERT Background Information

CERT Overview

CERTs are formed by members of a neighborhood or workplace who want to be better prepared for the hazards that threaten their communities.

Beyond Disaster Response

Initially, CERT programs were developed to assist communities in taking care of themselves in the aftermath of a major disaster when first responders are overwhelmed or unable to respond because of communication or transportation difficulties. As the CERT concept has taken hold across the country, however, CERTs have become much more than originally envisioned. CERTs have proven themselves to be an active and vital part of their communities' preparedness and response capability. For example, CERTs have been used to:

• Distribute and/or install smoke alarms and batteries to the elderly and disabled.
• Assist with evacuations and traffic control.
• Promote community awareness of potential hazards and preparedness measures.
• Supplement staffing at special events, such as parades.
• Act as victims in training exercises.

CERTs are an investment of local government's time and resources. To capitalize on this investment, program sponsors can view CERT members as a volunteer resource that can assist with public safety activities. Such an approach will actively involve members in serving their communities beyond disaster response and add value to the CERT program.

CERT Standards and Protocols

The best source of help in an emergency or disaster is the paid or volunteer professional responder. But, if they are not available to address immediate life-saving needs or to protect property, CERT members can help. CERTs are not intended to replace a community's response capability, but rather, to serve as an important supplement to it.

The agency sponsoring the CERT program is creating a volunteer resource that is part of the community's operational capability following a disaster. That agency should develop training standards for CERT personnel and protocols for their activation and use.

CERT members must keep their safety in mind as their first priority. CERT volunteers must know their capabilities and the limitations of their training and equipment and work within those limitations.

CERTs do NOT:

• Suppress large fires.
• Enter structures that they consider heavily damaged and dangerous (e.g., leaning or moved from foundation).
• Perform hazardous materials cleanup or respond to incidents involving radiological, chemical, or biological agents.
• Perform medical, fire, or search and rescue operations beyond their level of training.
• Activate or deploy unless called for in their procedures.

CERTs are considered "Good Samaritans" and covered under the Volunteer Protection Act. CERT volunteers do not have any authority beyond serving as "Good Samaritan" when helping others.

When deployed appropriately, however, CERTs can complement and enhance first-response capability in neighborhoods and workplaces by ensuring the safety of themselves and their families working outward to the neighborhood or office and beyond until first responders arrive. CERTs can then assist first-response personnel as directed.

Typical classes are described below:

• Session I, DISASTER PREPAREDNESS: Addresses hazards to which people are vulnerable in their community. Materials cover actions that participants and their families take before, during, and after a disaster. As the session progresses, the instructor begins to explore an expanded response role for civilians in that they should begin to consider themselves disaster workers. Since they will want to help their family members and neighbors, this training can help them operate in a safe and appropriate manner. The CERT concept and organization are discussed as well as applicable laws governing volunteers in that jurisdiction.
• Session II, DISASTER FIRE SUPPRESSION: Briefly covers fire chemistry, hazardous materials, fire hazards, and fire suppression strategies. However, the thrust of this session is the safe use of fire extinguishers, sizing up the situation, controlling utilities, and extinguishing a small fire.
• Session III, DISASTER MEDICAL OPERATIONS PART I: Participants practice diagnosing and treating airway obstruction, bleeding, and shock by using simple triage and rapid treatment techniques.
• Session IV, DISASTER MEDICAL OPERATIONS, PART II: Covers evaluating patients by doing a head to toe assessment, establishing a medical treatment area, performing basic first aid, and practicing in a safe and sanitary manner.
• Session V, LIGHT SEARCH AND RESCUE OPERATIONS: Participants learn about search and rescue planning, size-up, search techniques, rescue techniques, and most important, rescuer safety.
• Session VI, DISASTER PSYCHOLOGY AND TEAM ORGANIZATION: Covers signs and symptoms that might be experienced by the disaster victim and worker. It addresses CERT organization and management principles and the need for documentation.
• Session VII, COURSE REVIEW AND DISASTER SIMULATION: Participants review their answers from a take home examination. Finally, they practice the skills that they have learned during the previous six sessions in disaster activity.