HomeMy WebLinkAboutCERT - Learn Disaster Response SkillsLEARN DISASTER RESPONSE SKILLS!
CERT educates citizens in disaster preparedness and provides basic disaster
response skills. Using this training, CERT members can assist others in their
neighborhood or workplace following an event when professional first
responders are not immediately available to help.
THE INSTRUCTION: This FEMA approved course includes Disaster Preparedness,
Medical Operations I & II, Light Search and Rescue, Fire Suppression, Team
Organization and Emotional First Aid (Disaster Psychology).
2018 BASIC CERT CLASS SCHEDULE:
LOCATION:
Friday, March 16
6:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Los Alamitos Joint Forces Base
Saturday, March 17
8:00 am to 5:00 pm
Veterans Service Center
Friday, March 23
6:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Building 244
Saturday, March 24
8:00 am to 5:00 pm
11200 Lexington Drive
Los Alamitos, CA 90740
Four days equal one class.
REGISTRATION: https://westcountycert.com/basic-training-sign-up
or call (714) 229-6625
BASIC CERT TRAINING. This 20 -hour training may be used to immediately assist your
family, your neighborhood, your business, or your school. Basic CERT Training will help
you handle emergencies until first responders arrive.
ADVANCED CERT TRAINING. Following the Basic CERT training course, you may pursue
ADVANCED CERT Training. When your CERT Team is activated, you may be assigned to
assist first responders (fire, police, EMS) with emergency support duties during planned
events and major disasters.
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Q: What is CERT?
A: 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. With this training, CERT members can assist themselves, their families, and others in their
neighborhood or workplace when professional responders are not immediately available to help.
Q: How does CERT benefit the community?
A: After completing basic CERT training, you will have a better understanding of potential threats to your home, workplace and
community. you can take steps to lessen the effects of these hazards before disaster strikes. When a disaster overwhelms local
response capability, CERT members can apply their training to support family, loved ones, neighbors or associates in their
immediate area until help arrives. CERT members can also assist with non -emergency projects that improve community safety
through public education projects, and by serving at special events, parades, sporting events, and concerts. CERT members with
advanced training may be assigned to assist first responders (fire, police, EMS) with certain emergency support functions.
Q: Who can take the training?
A: It is open to anyone 18 years or older; 16. with parent or guardian permission; 14. with parent or guardian participation.
Q: Why take CERT training?
A: While State and Federal resources can eventually assist local agencies, their response may be delayed by several days. The
primary reason for CERT training is to give people decision-making, organizational, and practical skills needed to offer immediate
assistance to family members, neighbors, and associates while waiting for help. The goal of the CERT program is to help you
respond effectively and efficiently without placing yourself in unnecessary danger. This training is foremost for you. Advanced
training is available for those who wish to assist with community disaster response functions.
Q: What about liability?
A: The text ofthe Volunteer Protection Act of 1997 is available for viewing. State Liability Laws are located on the Citizen Corps
website. Duringtraining, each sponsoring agency will brief its CERT members about their responsibilities as a volunteer CERT
member. www.citizenscorps R
Q: What if I want to do more than just the basic training?
A: CERT members can increase their knowledge and capabilities by completing specified on-line FEMA courses (IS -100 and IS -700)
and by attending classes on animal care, special needs concems, donation management, community relations, shelter
fundamentals, debris removal, utilities control, advanced first aid, Automatic External Defibrillator, CPR, and others. CERT members
can also use their skills to help the program flourish by volunteering for scheduled events.
Q: How do CERT members maintain their skills?
A: CERT members meet every other month at one of the local sponsoring agencies to maintain individual and team skills. All CERT
members are invited to participate in an annual exercise. Some response agencies may incorporate CERT teams into their exercises
allowing CERT members to operate as they would during an actual disaster.
Q: What if I have concerns about my age or physical ability?
A: There are many jobs within CERT for someone who wants to be involved and help, such as 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 performing a skill, such as 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 major disaster and during
life's everyday emergencies.
Q: HOW DO 1 REGISTER FOR THE NEXT CLASS?
A: littris'// t tv rt om/baic-training-sign-uo or call 714-229-6625.