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Emergency preparedness is super important to us, so we decided to get trained as CERT volunteers!
CERT is an acronym for ‘Community Emergency Response Team.’
Most cities have a CERT training program. If you’re interested in getting certified, search online for “CERT training near me,” or check with your local fire department.
Communities that have a large number of CERT volunteers do better after a disaster. We hope you’ll get certified so you can be part of the solution if you ever face a disaster
What Do You Learn in CERT Training?
CERT training prepares you to be a leader in your community after a disaster. As a CERT volunteer, you can help organize local disaster response teams in a grassroots fashion.
You won’t have the same training as firefighters and other professional emergency response personnel, but CERT volunteers can participate in light search and rescue operations, basic medical response, and evacuation efforts. Then, when FEMA sends in help to your community, you can direct them to where help is needed the most!
As you can see, CERT training helps you be better prepared to help your community after a disaster. After you have ensured the safety of yourself and your family, you can go check on your neighbors, your street, and then your community. It could be several days before the government can send aid. CERT volunteers are the first on the scene.
Here is a brief outline of what is covered in CERT training:
- Disaster Preparedness
- CERT Organization
- Disaster Medical Operations
- Disaster Psychology
- Fire Safety and Utility Controls
- Light Search and Rescue Operations
- CERT and Terrorism
- Disaster Simulation
You might not always have the supplies you need after a disaster, but with CERT training, you learn how to quickly change plans, help the most people, and come together to get things done!
We need more CERT volunteers in every community. Please consider signing up for CERT training and getting others involved, too.
Be sure you also have a 72-hour kit ready!
