The Community Emergency Response Team, or CERT, Program is designed to
prepare you to help yourself, your family, and your neighbors in the event of a
catastrophic disaster. Because emergency services personnel will not be able to
help everyone immediately, you can make a difference by using CERT training
to save lives and protect property.
Following a major disaster, first responders who provide fire and medical
services will not be able to meet the demand for these services. Factors as
number of victims, communication failures, and road blockages will prevent
people from accessing emergency services they have come to expect at a moment's
notice through 911. People will have to rely on each other for help in order to
meet their immediate life saving and life sustaining needs.
What is a CERT or Community Emergency Response Team?
A CERT is a group of responsible, trained individuals who have come together
to form a skilled group of Disaster Service Workers. The CERT Program can be
used in neighborhoods, businesses, and schools. The CERT members realize that in
the event of a major disaster they will have to rely on their neighbors and
themselves to handle emergencies until professional help arrives.
The CERT organization uses the same basic working structure that the Fire
Department and the City Emergency Operations Center uses, the Incident Command
System, where positions are assigned and correlate with functions. The common
goals of the organization can be accomplished without duplication of effort.
What is the
purpose of CERT?
The Newport Beach Fire department recognizes the responsibility to provide
emergency services to protect the lives and property of our residents. It also
recognizes that City resources will be severely impacted with only 38
firefighters and 6-8 permanent lifeguards available to address the needs of
83,000 residents. Due to the high demands that will be placed on our limited
resources, everyone should be self-sufficient for a minimum of 72 hours. The
CERT organization utilizes the willingness and expertise of our residents to
care for themselves and their neighbors.
What type of
training will be offered?
The CERT Training Program will cover skills and information necessary during
a disaster including,
Disaster
Preparedness,
Fire
Suppression,
Disaster
Medical Operations,
Light
Search & Rescue,
Disaster
Psychology, and
Team
Organization. The training is constructed to be hands-on, as well as
discussion.
How do we get
started?
Classes are offered in the fall and winter. Please refer to the
schedule
page for a current list of classes.
Following a major disaster, first responders who provide fire and medical
services will not be able to meet the demand for these services. Factors as
number of victims, communication failures, and road blockages will prevent
people from accessing emergency services they have come to expect at a moment's
notice through 911. People will have to rely on each other for help in order to
meet their immediate life saving and life sustaining needs.
One also expects that under these kinds of conditions, family members, fellow
employees, and neighbors will spontaneously try to help each other. This was the
case following the Mexico City earthquake where untrained, spontaneous
volunteers saved 800 people. However, 100 people lost their lives while
attempting to save others. This is a high price to pay and is preventable
through training.
If we can predict that emergency services will not meet immediate needs
following a major disaster, especially if there is no warning as in an
earthquake, and people will spontaneously volunteer, what can government do to
prepare citizens for this eventuality?
First, present citizens the facts about what to expect following a major
disaster in terms of immediate services. Second, give the message about their
responsibility for mitigation and preparedness. Third, train them in needed life
saving skills with emphasis on decision making skills, rescuer safety, and doing
the greatest good for the greatest number-that's what CERT is about. Fourth,
organize teams so that they are an extension of first responder services
offering immediate help to victims until fire and medical services arrive.
Cert Program Background:
The Community Emergency Response Team concept was developed and implemented
by the Los Angeles City Fire Department (LAFD) in 1985. 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 their
immediate needs. As a result, the LAFD created the Disaster Preparedness
Division with the purpose of training citizens and private and government
employees. As of 1993, more than 10,000 people and over 267 teams have been
trained.
The training program that LAFD initiated makes good sense and furthers the
process of citizens understanding their responsibility in preparing for
disaster. It also increases their ability to safely help themselves, their
family and their neighbors. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
recognizes the importance of preparing citizens. The Emergency Management
Institute (EMI) and the National Fire Academy adopted and expanded the CERT
materials believing them applicable to all hazards.
The CERT course will benefit any citizen who takes it. This individual will
be better prepared to respond to and cope with the aftermath of a disaster.
Additionally, if a community wants to supplement its response capability after a
disaster, civilians can be recruited and trained as neighborhood, business, and
government teams that, in essence, will be auxiliary responders. These groups
can provide immediate assistance to victims in their area, organize spontaneous
volunteers who have not had the training, and collect disaster intelligence that
will assist professional responders with prioritization and allocation of
resources following a disaster. Since 1993 when this training was made available
nationally by FEMA, communities in the States of California, Washington, Oregon,
Florida, Missouri, and Kentucky have conducted the training.
The Newport Beach Fire Department CERT course is delivered by a Instructors
who are Firefighters, Paramedics. The CERT training for community groups is
usually delivered in 2 1/2 hour sessions, one evening a week over a 7 week
period or over 4 Saturdays.
Conclusion:
CERT is about readiness, people helping people, rescuer safety, and doing
the greatest good for the greatest number. CERT is a positive and realistic
approach to emergency and disaster situations where citizens will be initially
on their own and their actions can make a difference. Through training, citizens
can manage utilities and put out small fires; treat the three killers by opening
airways, controlling bleeding, and treating for shock; provide basic medical
aid; search for and rescue victims safely; and organize themselves and
spontaneous volunteers to be effective.
