Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training educates people about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their community and trains them in basic disaster response skills. Participants gain hands-on experience in the following sessions:
1) Basic Disaster Preparedness
2) Basic Fire Suppression
3) Disaster Medical Operations 1: Triage & Treating Life Threatening Injuries
4) Disaste
r Medical Operations 2: Assessment, Treatment, and Hygiene
5) Light Search & Rescue
6) Team Organization & Disaster Psychology
7) Terrorism & CERT
8) CART (Community Animal Response Team) 9) Graduation
Burlington County CERT typically offers the 20-hrs of training over an 6-8-week period, meeting once to twice a week from 7:00-9:00pm on a weeknight. The course culminates in a final exercise, where participants can practice using the skills they have learned during the classes. Upon completion of the program, participants also receive a free duffle bag filled with emergency response supplies. Frequently Asked Questions About CERT
How Does CERT Benefit the Community? People who go through CERT training have a better understanding of the potential threats to their home, workplace, and community. They have been trained to commence activities that will lessen the effects of a variety of hazards on themselves, their homes, and their workplace. If a disaster happens that overwhelms local response capability, CERT members can apply the training learned in the classroom and during exercises to give critical support to loved ones, neighbors, and associates in their immediate area until help arrives. Why Take the CERT Training? Local government prepares for everyday emergencies; however, there may be an emergency or disaster that can overwhelm the community's immediate response capability. The primary reason for CERT training is to give people the decision-making, organizational, and practical skills to offer immediate assistance to family members, neighbors, and associates while waiting for help. While people will respond to others in need without the training, the goal of the CERT program is to help people do so effectively and efficiently without placing themselves in unnecessary danger. Who Can Take the Training? Individuals who are interested in learning how to be better prepared for emergencies as well as groups like Neighborhood Watch, community organizations, communities of faith, school staff, workplace employees, and other groups that come together regularly for a common purpose. Training is available free of charge to individuals who live, work, or worship in Burlington County.
