CERT Community Emergency Response Team

I recently rogered up for CERT Training here in the D/FW area after reading about it in Neil Strauss’ book, Emergency.

The classes start in a few weeks, and I’m looking forward to helping out however I can.

If you’re not familiar with CERT (Community Emergency Response Team), allow me to enlighten you.

The CERT Program educates people about disaster preparedness for 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.

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 also are encouraged to support emergency response agencies by taking a more active role in emergency preparedness projects in their community.

The fact is that in an major disaster/emergency, help is not coming. Communities depend on CERT volunteers to supplement first responders when these situations occur.

CERT is about readiness, people helping people, rescuer safety, and doing the greatest good for the greatest number. CERT is a positive and realistic approach to emergency and disaster situations where citizens will be initially on their own and their actions can make a difference.

Through training, citizens can manage utilities and put out small fires; treat the three killers by opening airways, controlling bleeding, and treating for shock; provide basic medical aid; search for and rescue victims safely; and organize themselves and spontaneous volunteers to be effective.

I’d highly recommend that each one of you look into the local CERT programs in your area and volunteer, at the very least you’ll get some great training that will better prepare you in an emergency situation.

Anyone here have experience with CERT?