FAYETTE CO. CREATES COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM

  

Fayette County has launched a new Community Emergency Response Team (CERT).

Ten members recently completed the basic training course, which is designed to educate volunteers about disaster preparedness for the hazards that may impact their area.  It also provides training in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization and disaster medical operations.

At the end of the 16-hour training, CERT members participated in a live drill with the assistance of local “actors.”  The drill consisted of a building search to locate and treat victims of a tornado.

Fayette County Emergency Management Chief Craig Moreau said CERT “offers a consistent, nationwide approach to volunteer training and organization that professional responders can rely on during disaster situations.”  He said CERT can “provide invaluable assistance in times of emergencies,” and plans to continue building upon the program locally.

The CERT concept was developed and implemented by the Los Angeles City Fire Department in 1985 and became a national program in 1993.  There are now CERT programs in all 50 states, as well as many tribal nations and U.S. territories.  There are over 2,700 local CERT programs nationwide, and more than 600,000 people have trained since CERT became a national program.  A Teen CERT program allows high school students to be active in their community as well.