CERT training is intended to prepare citizens to respond to and assist their families or neighbors in the event of an emergency or disaster in their community.  Neighborhood watch or other organized groups are encouraged to take the CERT training.  If you are interested in joining the next CERT class, please email Jennifer Engkraf at engkrafj@co.cowlitz.wa.us.  

Introduction

Following a major disaster, first responders who provide fire and medical services will not be able to meet the demand for these services. Factors such 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 life saving and life sustaining needs.

One also expects that under these kinds of conditions, family members, fellow employees, and neighbors will spontaneously try to help each other. This was the case following the Mexico City earthquake where untrained, spontaneous volunteers saved 800 people. However, 100 people lost their lives while attempting to save others. This is a high price to pay and is preventable through training.

If we can predict that emergency services will not meet immediate needs following a major disaster, especially if there is no warning as in an earthquake, and people will spontaneously volunteer, what can government do to prepare citizens for this eventuality?

First, familiarize citizens about what to expect following a major disaster in terms of immediate services. Second, give the message about their responsibility for mitigation and preparedness. Third, train them in necessary life saving skills with emphasis on decision making, rescuer safety, and doing the greatest good for the greatest number.

Background

The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) concept was developed and implemented by the Los Angeles City Fire Department (LAFD) in 1985. The Whittier Narrows earthquake in 1987 underscored the area-wide threat of a major disaster in California. Further, it confirmed the need for training civilians to meet their immediate needs. As a result, the LAFD created the Disaster Preparedness Division with the purpose of training citizens and private and government employees.

The training program that LAFD initiated makes good sense and helps citizens understand their responsibility in preparing for disaster. It also increases their ability to safely help themselves, their families and neighbors. The Cowlitz County Department of Emergency Management recognizes the importance of preparing citizens with an all-hazard approach to emergency preparedness.  Any citizen will benefit from the CERT course, you will be better prepared to respond to, and cope with, the aftermath of a disaster.

Conclusion

CERT is about readiness, people helping people, rescuer safety, and doing the greatest good for the greatest number. The program 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.

The CERT course is delivered in the community by a team of trained first responders.  The training generally consists of the following courses:

 I.       Orientation:  The CERT concept and organization are discussed, as well as applicable laws governing volunteers in the state of Washington.

II:      General Disaster Preparedness:  Addresses local hazards and actions to take before, during, and after a disaster. As the session progresses, the instructor begins to explore an expanded response role for civilians in that they should begin to consider themselves disaster workers. Since they will want to help their family members and neighbors, this training can help them operate in a safe and appropriate manner.

III:     Disaster Fire Suppression:  Briefly covers fire chemistry, hazardous materials, fire hazards, and fire suppression strategies. However, the thrust of this session is the safe use of fire extinguishers, sizing up the situation, controlling utilities, and extinguishing a small fire.

IV:     Disaster Medical Operations I:  Participants practice diagnosing and treating airway obstruction, bleeding, and shock by using simple triage and rapid treatment techniques.

V:      Disaster Medical Operations II:  Covers evaluating patients by doing a head to toe assessment, establishing a medical treatment area, performing basic first aid, and practicing in a safe and sanitary manner.

VI:     Light Search and Rescue:  Participants learn about search and rescue planning, size-up, search techniques, rescue techniques, and most important, rescuer safety.

VII:    Disaster Psychology and Team Organization:  Covers signs and symptoms that might be experienced by the disaster victim and worker. It addresses CERT organization and management principles and the need for documentation.

VIII:   Course Review and Disaster Simulation:  Participants review their answers from a take home examination. Finally, they practice the skills that they have learned during the previous sessions in disaster activity.

During each session participants are required to bring safety equipment (gloves, goggles, mask) and disaster supplies (bandages, flashlight, dressings) which will be used during the session. By doing this for each session, participants are building a disaster response kit of items that they will need during a disaster.

CERT is a proud partner of Citizen Corps and the effort to have everyone in America prepare, train, and volunteer.

For more information on CERT training courses, please contact the Cowlitz County Department of Emergency Management at (360) 577-3130 or DEM@co.cowlitz.wa.us

 
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