WHAT IS CERT?

The Community Emergency Response Team (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. There is a CERT Overview paper located at http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/CERT/overview.asp that gives you a complete description of CERT.

CERT WILL TEACH CITIZENS TO:
	Describe the types of hazards most likely to affect their homes and communities Describe the function of CERT and their roles in immediate personal response. Take steps to prepare themselves for a disaster. Identify and reduce potential fire hazards in their homes and workplaces. Apply basic fire suppression strategies, resources, and safety measures. Apply techniques for opening breathing airways, controlling bleeding, and treating for shock. Conduct triage under simulated conditions. Perform head-to-toe assessments. Employ basic treatments for various wounds. Identify planning and size-up requirements for potential search and rescue situations. Describe the most common techniques for searching a structure. Use safe techniques for debris removal and victim extrication.