Home < Resident Guide < Public Safety < Emergency Management < CERT

The Federal Emergency Management Agency, using the model created by the Los Angeles City Fire Department, began promoting nationwide use of the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) concept in 1994. Since then, CERTs have been established in hundreds of communities.  CERT training promotes a partnering effort between emergency services and the people that they serve. The goal is for emergency personnel to train members of neighborhoods, community organizations, or workplaces in basic response skills. CERT members are then integrated into the emergency response capability for their area. If a disastrous event overwhelms or delays the community’s professional response, CERT members can assist others by applying the basic response and organizational skills that they learned during training. These skills can help save and sustain lives following a disaster until help arrives. CERT skills also apply to daily emergencies.

About CERT…

CERT members maintain and refine their skills by participating in exercises and activities.  They can attend supplemental training opportunities offered by the sponsoring agency and others that further their skills base. Finally, CERT members can volunteer for projects that improve community emergency preparedness.

CERT Training will teach

participants to:

1. Describe the types of hazards most likely to

affect their homes and communities.

2. Describe the function of CERT and their

roles in immediate response.

3. Take steps to prepare themselves for a disaster.

4. Identify and reduce potential fire hazards in

their homes and workplaces.

5. Work as a team to apply basic fire suppression

strategies, resources, and safety measures

to extinguish a burning liquid.

6. Apply techniques for opening airways, controlling

bleeding, and treating shock.

7. Conduct triage under simulated conditions.

8. Perform head-to-toe assessments.

9. Select and set up a treatment area.

10. Employ basic treatments for various

wounds.

11. Identify planning and size-up requirements

for potential search and rescue

situations.

12. Describe the most common techniques

for searching a structure.

13. Use safe techniques for debris removal

and victim extrication.

14. Describe ways to protect rescuers during

search and rescue.

Target Audience

• Neighborhoods
• Businesses
• Communities of Faith
• Scouting Organizations
• School Staff/Students
• Clubs/Organizations
• Amateur Radio Emergency Services

THE NEXT CERT CLASS IS SCHEDULED FOR OCTOBER 16 AND 23, 2010 AT THE DRUM POINT CLUBHOUSE.  IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO REGISTER FOR THIS CLASS, PLEASE CALL 410-535-1600, EXT 2638 OR ONLINE AT OEM@CO.CAL.MD.US.

Sandy Simmons, Emergency Management Specialist
Phone:  410-535-1600 or 301-855-1243, ext 2302
Fax:  410-535-3997; Email:  oem@co.cal.md.us