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Community Emergency Response Teams

Definition

A CERT is a group of people organized as a neighborhood-based team that receives special training to enhance their ability to recognize, respond to, and recover from a major emergency or disaster situation. Teams are trained by professional responders in areas that will help them take care of themselves and others before, during and after a major emergency. As an organized team, individuals can provide vital services in the absence of and while waiting for the arrival of emergency responders.

History

The Community Emergency Response Team concept was developed and implemented by the City of Los Angeles Fire Department in 1985. The department recognized that citizens would very likely be on their own during the early stages of a catastrophic disaster and that, with some basic training in disaster survival and rescue skills, they would be better able to survive and help others until responders or other assistance could arrive.

More recently, East Coast cities have recognized the success of the CERT concept and have trained teams to meet local challenges. Many coastal communities, particularly in hurricane-prone areas, have already trained thousands of people. CERT training has proven so beneficial that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has recommended that CERT training be done nationwide. The Emergency Management Institute (EMI), in cooperation with the Los Angeles Fire Department, has expanded CERT materials and made them applicable for all contemporary hazards.

In Prince George's County Prince George's County held its first Community Emergency Response Team overview in December of 2003 at the City of Laurel Municipal Center. To ensure that CERT could work in the county, The Office of Homeland Security partnered with municipal officials from the City of College Park, Hyattsville, Laurel, The Town of Berwyn Heights, Bladensburg, Landover Hills and North Brentwood in training and establishing CERT teams in some of the municipalities. Additionally, residents in unincorporated communities like Clinton and Temple Hills have been CERT trained. The Office of Homeland Security has partnered with the University of Maryland -Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute, the DelMarVa Search and Rescue Team, 4x4 Medic, and several county agencies to provide quality CERT training.

Training

Anyone who lives in Prince George's County can apply for CERT training. CERTs can be created within already organized groups. Some examples are:

Municipalities
Neighborhood Groups
Civic Associations
Homeowner/Condo/Townhouse Associations
Business Groups
Neighborhood Watch organizations
Scouts
Faith-Based Groups

Prince George's County has trained several neighborhood teams and will continue building on that base. As new people are trained, they are referred to existing teams.

Trainees become full CERT members upon completion of all class sessions and a drill/practical exam, including eight classes, taught by emergency response/management personnel. Each class is approximately 2 1/2 hours and reading assignments are given at the end of each class. Also included are practical, tabletop and team-building exercises.

Areas of training include:

Personal and Family Preparation and Safety
Fire Safety
Recognizing and Treating Life-Threatening and Non-Life-Threatening Emergencies
Triage and Treatment Area Management
Incident Command System
Disaster Psychology
Terrorism and CERT
Light Search and Rescue Operations

The final session includes a practical exam comprised of a set of disaster simulations to give trainees the ability to apply their newly acquired skills in a semi-realistic environment. Continuing and advanced education is available for interested graduates.

CERT members are expected to acquire certain supplies in addition to those that should be on hand in every household. A list of supplies is provided at the first CERT class. As

some items are provided by the county, students should not purchase them before that time.

Activities

Prior to an emergency, CERT members are expected to have an awareness of their own neighborhoods, and to pre-determine possible evacuation sites that will facilitate effective, safe and rapid response to emergencies.

During a major emergency, where first responders are unable to respond immediately, CERT team members:

Assume a leadership role
Assess situations and properly advise emergency responders when they arrive
Recognize the potential hazards associated with a particular type of event and take appropriate action
Take steps to get to safety and/or help others to do so in an organized fashion
Help identify staging areas for operations and triage
Help identify, organize and utilize local resources
Assist others with the emotional distress associated with major emergencies and disaster conditions
Administer first aid and/or triage casualties
Perform needs assessments, document and communicate needs to local authorities
Support effective and efficient allocation of emergency resources

Activation

CERT members are activated:

By an authorized county official
By an authorized municipal official within that respective municipality
By themselves in the event of a major disaster where first responders are delayed or unable to respond (but only after attempting to alert emergency personnel)

Ongoing Participation

Those who complete the CERT training are expected to:

Help prepare individuals and organizations in the neighborhood to take care of themselves in the event of a disaster by providing or facilitating education about emergency preparedness
Be willing to help neighbors and the community in the event of a disaster, after assuring self and family safety
Seek out and take advantage of opportunities to enhance emergency preparedness and disaster skills
Be willing to participate in community events, drills and training others
Participate in periodic team meetings to organize and maintain activities

Applying For CERT Training

If you are interested in applying for CERT training, please call (301) 583-1899.

CERT in Other Communities

Below is a selection of helpful CERT websites.