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- Have you ever wondered what you would do in the event of a major disaster?
- What if a tornado struck large areas of Waseca County?
- What if first responders were over-whelmed, or couldn’t reach your neighborhood or business?
- How should you respond?
The CERT program offers neighborhood training and assistance to prepare for such events.
Waseca County Emergency Management is in the process of recruiting CERT members and scheduling a Fall training class. Training and equipment are provided at no cost to CERT volunteers.
What is CERT:
The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program educates people about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations. Using the training learned in the classroom and during exercises, CERT members can assist others in their neighborhood or workplace following an event when professional responders are not immediately available to help. CERT members also are encouraged to support emergency response agencies by taking a more active role in emergency preparedness projects in their community.
CERT training prepares citizens to serve as first responders in the homes and in their neighborhoods until emergency personnel arrive. CERT members lean about neighborhood safety during emergency situations such as power outages, storm and other emergencies (natural or man-made hazards). CERT volunteers are trained to respond quickly and decisively.
How Does it Work?
CERT classes are taught by local FEMA certified trainers. The volunteer members of Waseca County CERT will learn the basics of disaster preparedness, fire safety, disaster medical operations (assessment, treatment, triage and treating life threatening injuries), learn to control utilities in a fire, rapid treatment techniques for injuries and shock, basic first aid, light search and rescue operations, disaster psychology, organizing teams, and terrorism awareness.
CERT volunteer members will receive basic safety equipment; helmet, goggles, gloves, first aid kit, lights, tools, manual/guide, etc. The training will require about 27 hours to complete.
Become involved with your community.
SIGN UP NOW by calling the Waseca County Emergency Management office at 507-835-0694