CERT
What is CERT?
A Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) is a ready force of organized and trained volunteer disaster workers that operates at the neighborhood level. CERT volunteers are trained to help communities mitigate disasters during the first minutes and up to 72 hours following a disaster when damaged roads, disrupted communications, high call volume, etc…, may restrict access by local police, fire and emergency medical services.
What Kind of Training is Provided?
This hands-on training program is taught by trained emergency professionals.
The course agenda is as follows:
- Disaster Preparedness - Introduction to disasters and the role of CERTs in disaster response
- Disaster Fire Suppression - Identifying and reducing potential fire hazards and basic fire suppression
- Disaster Medical Operations - Treatment strategies for life threatening conditions, principles of triage, and Head to toe assessments, treatment for fractures, sprains, burns, and other injuries
- Light Search and Rescue Operations - Techniques for search, lifting, cribbing, and removing victims
- Team Organization - The incident command system and documentation
- Disaster Psychology - The post-disaster emotional environment, identifying and handling stress symptoms
- Terrorism - Defining terrorism, identify CERT procedures in a terrorist incident
- Course Review - Course review and disaster simulation exercise
How Do I Enroll in the Course?
For questions or to enroll in the course, contact the Riley County Emergency Management Coordinator, Laurie Harrison, KCEM at 785-537-6333.