CERT - Citizens Emergency Response Teams

The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program helps train people to be better prepared to respond to emergency situations in their communities. When emergencies happen, CERT members can give critical support to first responders, provide immediate assistance to victims and organize spontaneous volunteers at a disaster site. CERT members can also help with non-emergency projects that help improve the safety of the community. CERT is a nationwide initiative.

The events of September 11 will never be forgotten; also not forgotten is how the spirit of America was awakened that day and citizens came forth to volunteer their services. President George W. Bush harnessed this spirit of volunteerism with the Citizen Corps program. CERT is a part of the Citizens Corps Program.

The eight modules we will be covering are as follows: Disaster Preparedness, Fire Safety, Medical Operations, Light Search and Rescue, CERT Organization, Disaster Psychology, Terrorism and CERT, Course Review and Disaster Simulation.

The program is an eight week course that will be held on Monday evenings with a simulated exercise on the Saturday after the last class.

A prerequisite for this program is an Independent Study course through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The course is entitled IS 317 Introduction to Community Emergency Response Team. The website for access is http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/IS/crslist.asp

We also ask that you call FEMA for a free copy of the ARE YOU READY book the number to call is 1-800-480-2520.

For those of you who are interested in signing up for the next class please go to the 911 Center at 200 Carl Vinson Parkway and ask for an application.

Thanks so much for your interest,

Lois Kemper, Program Manager
478-808-0505 Phone
[email protected]