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CERT stands for Community Emergency Response Team, but it's a disaster preparedness class. To register please call (619) 441-1737.
Here's our 2008 schedule:
Last CERT Academy for 2008 - Are you prepared?
Academy - #3 Space still available!
September 27- Disaster preparedness/CERT organization - 8054 Allison Avenue
October 11- Disaster Medical/ Triage - 8054 Allison Avenue
October 25- Extinguishers/Light Search and Rescue classroom - 8054 Allison Avenue
November 8- Fire Extinguishers/Light Search and Rescue hands on - 1301 N. Marshall
November 22- Disaster Psychology/ Haz-Mat/ Terrorism - 8054 Allison Avenue
December 6- All inclusive manipulative/ review - 1301 N. Marshall
(Note: Current CERT members - scroll down for the new extra CERT class schedule.)
We'll call back to confirm within the week. If you do not get a call, please call again in case there was a bad phone signal or your number was hard to understand. Read on for more information on what to bring to these "free" disaster preparedness training classes.
*The Extra CERT class, for graduated CERT members, is now being held once every three months. Please check back for any changes. These will be at the Heartland Training Facility located at 1301 N. Marshall in El Cajon - unless otherwise noted.
6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
They are:
July 28 - Fire Supression -
October 27 - To Be Announced
What is CERT? The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program educates people about disaster preparedness and the hazards that may impact the area they live. These FREE CERT lessons will train you in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations. Using the training taught in the classroom and during drill exercises, CERT members will be better prepared to also assist others in their neighborhood or workplace following a disaster or other unexpected event when professional responders are not immediately available.
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Additional CERT Academies:
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CERT Hazard Plans - How to handle: "Tsunamis"
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Additional Disaster Information: From Fed Health - FED HEALTH
Disaster Supplies: American Red Cross - American Red Cross - San Diego
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For additional information about our East County CERT Classes, for:
El Cajon Fire - Call 619-441-1615
CERT is an excellent opportunity to learn many important life saving skills to better protect yourself, your family and your neighbors in the event of most disasters. This translates into saved lives and less panic.
CERT members also are encouraged to support emergency response agencies by taking a more active role in emergency preparedness projects in their community.
Local government prepares for everyday emergencies. However, during a disaster, the number and scope of incidents can overwhelm conventional emergency services. The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program is an all-risk, all-hazard training. This valuable course is designed to help you protect yourself, your family, your neighbors and your neighborhood in an emergency situation.
Check the CERT Homepage from FEMA:
CERT Homepage
Take a look at the Los Angeles CERT Program:
www.cert-la.com
Rancho Santa Fe Fire - Click here: Rancho Santa Fe CERT
Lakeside Fire now has a CERT program, for more information call 619-390-2350, ext. 304. Leave a message and they'll call you back. A big "thank you" to their food and product sponsors - Walmart, Vons and Albertson's in El Cajon and Bagel Towne in Lakeside!
For the San Diego County CERT Council Website: San Diego CERT Council
For Coronado Fire's CERT program please call them at 619-522-7374.
In the Southbay:
For Chula Vista's CERT program please contact Carlos Bejar at 619-476-2378, or 619-476-2303. Southwestern College has now added CERT Training classes to their class schedule! Southwestern College, is located at 900 Otay Lakes Road, Chula Vista, call them at (619) 421-6700 for more information.
*Please watch this web site for future CERT Training dates and locations. CERT programs are in the planning stages for many other parts of the county. Check with your local fire department or the Sheriff's Department.
Frequently Asked Questions About CERT
What Is CERT?
(CERT) The Community Emergency Response Team 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.
The CERT course is taught in the community by a trained team of first responders who have completed a CERT Train-the-Trainer course conducted by their state training office for emergency management, or FEMA's Emergency Management Institute (EMI), located in Emmitsburg, Maryland. CERT training includes disaster preparedness, disaster fire suppression, basic disaster medical operations, and light search and rescue operations.
Over the next two years, the CERT program aims to double the number of participants, with over 400,000 individuals completing the 20 plus hours of training. Train-the-Trainer sessions will be held in all 56 states and territories over the next year to expand the program throughout the United States.
Q: Why take the CERT training?
A: Local government prepares for everyday emergencies. However, there are emergencies and disaster that can overwhelm the community immediate response capability. While adjacent jurisdictions, State and Federal resources can activate to help, there may be a delay for them getting to those who need help. The primary reason for CERT training is to give people the decision-making and physical skills to offer immediate assistance to family members, neighbors, and associates. While people will respond to others in need without the training, the goal of the CERT program is to help them do so effectively and efficiently without placing themselves in unnecessary danger.
A success story about CERTs comes during the wildfires in Florida. The Edgewater CERT helped emergency management and the fire department by assisting with evacuations, handling donations, preparing food for firefighters, and answering the phone while the professionals were fighting the fire. It is a great example of CERT members and response personnel working together for the benefit of the community.
Q: How do CERT members maintain their skills?
A: CERT members and the sponsor work together to maintain team skills. It is suggested that the sponsor conduct refresher classes and an annual exercise where all CERT members are invited to participate. Some response agencies have conducted joint exercises with CERT team and operate as they would during an actual disaster. The last point does bring up a lesson learned. Besides training CERT members, it is also important to train members of response agencies about CERTs, the skills that teams have and the role that they will have during a major disaster. One way to develop this trust is by encouraging agency personnel to participate in classes as instructors and coaches and activities involving CERTs.
Understanding that CERTs may operate independently following a disaster. CERTs can practice this independence by taking some responsibility for their training. Teams can design activities and exercises for themselves and with other teams. Some members can be rescuers, some victims, and some evaluators. After the event, there can be a social so that teams get to know each other
Q: What if I want to do more than just the basic training?
A: CERT members may attend classes provided by the community agencies on animal care, special needs concerns, debris removal, utilities control, advanced first aid, Automatic External Defibrillator use, CPR skills, and others.
CERT members are a potential volunteer pool for the community. They can help with special projects like distributing preparedness material, staffing medical booths during special events, and assisting with installation of smoke alarms for seniors or special needs households. Some CERT members have sought additional training opportunities in shelter management, community relations, and donations management.
