Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program
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Jefferson County Homeland Security & Emergency Management prepares for everyday emergencies. However, during a disaster, the number and scope of incidents can overwhelm conventional emergency services. The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program is an all-risk, all-hazard training. This valuable course is designed to help you protect yourself, your family, your pets, your neighbors and your neighborhood in an emergency situation.
Community-based preparedness planning allows us all to prepare for and respond to anticipated disruptions and potential hazards following a disaster. As individuals, we can prepare our homes and families to cope during that critical period. Through pre-event planning, neighborhoods and worksites can also work together to help reduce injuries, loss of lives, and property damage. Neighborhood preparedness will enhance the ability of individuals and neighborhoods to reduce their emergency needs and to manage their existing resources until professional assistance becomes available.
With training and practice, and by working as a team, you will be taught to protect yourself and do the greatest good for the greatest number after a disaster. The training is designed for citizens with little or no training in the areas listed below, but those with some skills in these areas are also welcome to attend the training and participate in CERT. Homeowners or neighborhood groups, PTA’s, service and social clubs, churches, businesses, or a group of individuals from a neighborhood are ideal candidates for CERT training. The only requirements are that you be over 18 years old and live or work in Jefferson County.
Basic skills are taught in the areas of: Disaster Preparedness, Fire Safety, Disaster Medical Operations I and II; Terrorism Preparedness and Crime Prevention; Disaster Psychology, Special Populations, Animals in Disaster; Light Search and Rescue and CERT Volunteerism. All students must participate in a final exercise and test at the end of the course.
All classes are taught by professionals in the corresponding field of expertise.
All classes are provided at no charge to the participants. All participants who complete all sessions and the final exercise will receive a certificate of participation and be issued a hard hat and a CERT Vest. Any participant that does not attend all courses or that is late or leaves early will have to make up that section of the course when the next round of courses are offered.
Stay tuned for more information about out next CERT program.