03/25/2026
March 24, 2026
Tipton County CERT Completes Two-Day Basic Training, Strengthening Community Preparedness
Atoka, Tennessee — The Tipton County Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), under the direction of the Tipton County Emergency Management Agency (EMA), completed a two-day CERT Basic Training course over the past two Saturdays at the Town of Atoka City Hall.
This free, FEMA-developed course provided 16 hours of foundational training, equipping residents with essential knowledge and practical skills to safely support their communities during emergencies and disasters.
The first Saturday session focused on classroom instruction, covering core CERT concepts and disaster preparedness principles. The second Saturday focused on hands-on training and realistic scenarios, allowing participants to apply what they learned in a controlled, practical setting.
Training topics included disaster medical operations, light search and rescue, disaster psychology, an overview of terrorism and hazardous events, and team communication and coordination. The course concluded with a full-scale disaster simulation exercise, reinforcing the importance of working within the CERT mission: to assist—never replace—professional responders, and to always prioritize personal safety.
The Tipton County CERT program extends sincere appreciation to those who contributed to the success of this training:
• Henry Suter, volunteer instructor, for leading the Terrorism and CERT Role module during the first Saturday session
• Darren Smith, Ph.D., instructor for the Disaster Psychology module and former government sponsor of the CERT program under the Tipton County Constables
• Dr. Brian J. Styer, Team Leader, Program Coordinator, and CERT Instructor, who taught across both training days
Special thanks are also extended to the Tipton County CERT Leadership Team for their work in preparing both the classroom environment and the outdoor practical training areas.
The program also recognizes several CERT Basic students who participated in the training, including Marcella Harris, Daniel Summers, Belinda Summers, Justin Waldrup, Jason Lind, and John Evans. Their involvement reflects a growing commitment among Tipton County residents to preparedness, service, and community resilience.
Upon completion of both training sessions, participants are eligible to receive a CERT Basic Training certificate. They may apply for membership in the Tipton County CERT Team, where they can continue training and serve the community year-round.
Tipton County CERT continues to welcome residents, church leaders, civic organizations, and volunteers interested in gaining practical, life-saving skills and becoming part of a coordinated emergency response.
CERT is built on a simple but powerful principle: neighbors helping neighbors—safely, effectively, and when it matters most.
