Cumberland County Office of Emergency Management announces CERT
(Community Emergency Response Team) Training for Winter 2013.
CERT Training Program
January 9,2013
We are pleased to announce the 2013 CERT Training Program. If you are interested in becoming a CERT Team member, this is your opportunity. CERT Program covers various topics such as; Disaster Preparedness, Fire Safety, Disaster Medical, Search and Rescue, Disaster Psychology and Terrorism.
Classes will be starting on January 9th, for 8 consecutive weeks, on Wednesday evenings from 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM. If you would like further information on the CERT Program or to register for the upcoming class, please call the County OEM office 856-455-8770 #360/ #361 or email melindawe@co.cumberland.nj.us.
The class will be held at the Cumberland County 9-1-1/ OEM Building, 637 Bridgeton Ave., Bridgeton, NJ 08302 (First Floor).
CERT Program Information
Following a major disaster, first responders who provide fire and medical services will not be able to meet the demand for these services. Factors as number of victims, communication failures, and road blockages will prevent people from accessing emergency services they have come to expect at a moment's notice through 911. People will have to rely on each other for help in order to meet their immediate lifesaving and life sustaining needs.
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.
CERT is about readiness, people helping people, rescuer safety, and doing the greatest good for the greatest number. CERT is a positive and realistic approach to emergency and disaster situations where citizens will be initially on their own and their actions can make a difference. Through training, citizens can manage utilities and put out small fires; treat the three killers by opening airways, controlling bleeding, and treating for shock; provide basic medical aid; search for and rescue victims safely; and organize themselves and spontaneous volunteers to be effective.
There are many jobs within a CERT for someone who wants to be involved and help. Following a disaster, CERT members are needed for documentation, comforting others, logistics, etc. Non-disaster related team activities may include keeping databases, developing a website, writing a newsletter, planning activities, helping with special events and organizing exercises and activities.
During CERT classroom training, if one has a concern about doing a skill like lifting, just let the instructor know. You can learn from watching. We would like everyone who wants to go through the training to have an opportunity to participate and learn the skills. CERT educates participants about local hazards and trains them in skills that are useful during disaster and life's everyday emergencies.