Raleigh County Emergency Service Authority,
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, CERTs have been established in
hundreds of communities.
CERT training promotes a partnering effort between emergency services
and the people that they serve. The goal is for emergency personnel
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 can assist 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 skills also apply to daily emergencies.
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.
CERT Training will teach participants to:
1. Describe the types of hazards most
likely to affect their homes and communities.
2. Describe the function of CERT and
their roles in immediate response.
3. Take steps to prepare themselves for
a disaster.
4. Identify and reduce potential fire
hazards in their homes and workplaces.
5. Work as a team to apply basic fire
suppression strategies, resources, and safety measures to extinguish
a burning liquid.
6. Apply techniques for opening airways,
controlling bleeding, and treating shock.
7. Conduct triage under simulated conditions.
8. Perform head-to-toe assessments.
9. Select and set up a treatment area.
10. Employ basic treatments for various
wounds.
11. Identify planning and size-up requirements
for potential search and rescue situations.
12. Describe the most common techniques
for searching a structure.
13. Use safe techniques for debris removal
and victim extrication.
14. Describe ways to protect rescuers
during search and rescue.
Target Audience
