Disaster Preparedness - Volunteering - California City Community Emergency Response Team - California City Fire Department
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 their community.
CERT is a positive and realistic approach to emergency and disaster situations where citizens will initially be on their own and their actions can make a difference. The concept for community response initiatively evolved from repeated large-scale disasters such as earthquakes, fire, and floods in which the need for emergency assistance far exceeded the capabilities of local first responders.
During such situations, it is often the victim or bystander who is, by default, the “first responder” to the scene. Although many people will respond to those in need regardless of whether they are a CERT member, CERT offers in-depth, hands-on training to equip all citizens with the decision-making, organizational, and practical skills they need to offer immediate assistance while waiting for professional help to arrive.
In the event of a disaster, CERT members are trained to respond first to themselves, second to their family, third neighborhood, then fourth, to their community
To be a CERT volunteer you must:
-Successfully complete the 22-hour training program
-Comply with the rules and policies set forth by California City Fire Department, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
-Participate in on-going training.
-Assist with CERT and City events
