WHAT IS CERT?
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| Copyright 2013 Debbie Mackintosh www.chgetready |
The Community Emergency
Response Team (CERT) concept was developed and implemented by the city of Los
Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) in 1985.
They recognized that citizens would very likely be on their own during
the early stages of a catastrophic disaster.
Accordingly, LAFD decided that some basic training in disaster survival
and rescue skills would improve the ability of citizens to survive until
responders or other assistance could arrive.
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 immediate
emergency needs. As a result, the LAFD created
the Disaster Preparedness Division with the purpose of training citizens in the
CERT concept. As of 1993, more than
8,000 people and 225 teams had been trained.
The training program LAFD initiated proved to be so beneficial that the
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) felt the concept and the program
should be made available to communities nationwide. The Emergency Management Institute (EMI), in
cooperation with the LAFD, has expanded the CERT Materials to make them
applicable to all hazards. The goal of
the training continues to be preparing people to help people. Seeing the value of CERT, FEMA is committed
to supporting the training of local CERT teams across the nation. These teams too can assist with saving lives
and protecting property in the event of a major disaster.
Those who benefit from the training should thank the LAFD for their
vision and initiative in developing CERT, and for their willingness to support
FEMA’s effort to share this program with communities across the nation.
If available, emergency services workers are the best trained and
equipped to handle emergencies and you should use them. However, following a
catastrophic disaster, you and the community may be on your own for a period of
time because of the size of the area affected, lost communications, and
un-passable roads.
CERT training is designed to prepare you to help yourself, your family,
and your neighbors in the event of a catastrophic disaster. Because Emergency services workers will not
be able to help everyone immediately, you can make a difference by receiving
the training to help save lives and protect property. This training covers basic
skills that are important to know in a disaster when emergency services are not
available. You will want to help. With training and practice and as a team, you will be able to do the
greatest good for the greatest number after a disaster, while protecting
yourself from becoming a victim.
Contact your Local Fire Dept for training and more information.
Contact your Local Fire Dept for training and more information.
Salt Lake Area
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| Herman CERT Drill |
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