CERT

"We will find ways to train and mobilize more volunteers to help when rescue and health emergencies arise." 
- President George W. Bush

What is CERT?

The Federal Emergency Management Agency, using the model created by the Los Angeles City Fire Department, began promoting nationwide use of the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) concept in 1994. Since then, hundreds of CERTs have been established in communities nationwide. This concept is part of President Bush's initiative for Domestic Preparedness.

CERT training promotes a partnering effort between emergency services & the people they serve.  The goal is for emergency personnel having taken the CERT training to train members of neighborhoods, community organizations or workplaces in basic response skills.CERT members are then integrated into the emergency response capability for their area.

If a disastrous event overwhelms or delays the community's professional response, CERT members are capable of assisting others by applying the basic response and organizational skills that they learned during training. These skills can help save and sustain lives following a disaster until help arrives.

CERT members maintain and refine their skills by participating in exercises and activities. They can attend supplemental training opportunities offered by the sponsoring agency and others that further their skills base. Finally, CERT members can volunteer for projects that improve community emergency preparedness.

Key Training Elements will Teach Participants to:

• Identify the types of hazards most likely to affect their homes and communities
• Know their roles in immediate response
• Take steps to prepare themselves for a disaster
• Identify and reduce potential fire hazards in their homes and workplaces
• Work as a team to apply basic strategies, resources, and safety measures
• Conduct triage under simulated conditions
• Perform head-to-toe assessments
• Select and set up a treatment area
• Employ basic treatments for various wounds
• Identify planning and size-up requirements for potential search and rescur situations
• Describe the most common techniques for searching a structure
• Use safe techniques for debris removal and victim extrication
• Describe ways to protect rescuers during search and rescue

Target Audience:

• Neighborhoods/Communities
• Businesses
• Communities of Faith
• Scouting Organizations
• School Staff/Students
• Clubs/Organizations
• County Government Offices
• Existing Volunteer Groups, Amateur Radio Clubs, and others

Training is Designed to Cover the Following:

• Disaster Preparedness
• Fire Safety
• Disaster Medical Operations/Triage and Treating Life Threatening Injuries
• Disaster Medical Operations - Assessment, Treatment and Hygiene
• Light Search and Rescue
• Team Organization
• Disaster Psychology
• Terrorism and CERT
• Final Exercise

Sessions require about 20 hours to complete

For more information about education and training opportunities, contact:

Talbot County Department of Emergency Services
605 Port Street
Easton, MD 21601

410-770-8160