What is C.E.R.T.? The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program trains people to be prepared for emergency situations in their community. CERT members give critical support to first responders in emergencies, provide immediate assistance to victims, collect disaster information to support first responder efforts and provide that first neighborhood help in the immediate hours following a major emergency. It is families helping themselves and neighbors helping neighbors to prepare, respond and recover in their own neighborhood.
Why C.E.R.T? Hurricanes, tornadoes, wild fires, hazardous materials incidents and acts of terrorism have clearly shown during the initial hours following the disaster, emergency personnel are overloaded, unable to reach areas, or are short of personnel to respond. Others often have had to pitch in to help persons in their immediate neighborhood. CERT training gives you the decision-making and physical skills to offer immediate assistance to family members, neighbors and business associates in an efficient and effective manner without placing yourself in unnecessary danger.
When, how, and where is C.E.R.T? CERT teams are your neighbors and business colleagues, who following training, initiate neighborhood or business teams, and whose actions make a difference. Following a 20-hour basic training program, the team can manage utilities, put out small fires, provide life saving interventions, perform basic search and rescue operations, and assist in damage assessment, evacuation and rapid sheltering. There are 135 CERT programs in Florida and 10 are active right here in Pinellas County with thousands of neighborhood trained personnel. It is a "local" program formed through East Lake Fire Rescue.
For further information on C.E.R.T. go to www.citizencorps.gov/cert/.