Wasatch County CERT
Introduction
Following a major disaster, first responders who provide fire and medical services will not be able to meet the demand for these services. Factors as number of victims, communication failures, and road blockages will prevent people from accessing emergency services they have come to expect at a moment's notice through 911. People will have to rely on each other for help in order to meet their immediate life saving and life sustaining needs.
One also expects that under these kinds of conditions, family members, fellow employees, and neighbors will spontaneously try to help each other. This was the case following the Mexico City earthquake where untrained, spontaneous volunteers saved 800 people. However, 100 people lost their lives while attempting to save others. This is a high price to pay and is preventable through training.
If we can predict that emergency services will not meet immediate needs following a major disaster, especially if there is no warning as in an earthquake, and people will spontaneously volunteer, what can government do to prepare citizens for this eventuality?
First, present citizens the facts about what to expect following a major disaster in terms of immediate services. Second, give the message about their responsibility for mitigation and preparedness. Third, train them in needed life saving skills with emphasis on decision making skills, rescuer safety, and doing the greatest good for the greatest number. Fourth, organize teams so that they are an extension of first responder services offering immediate help to victims until professional services arrive.
Background
The Community Emergency Response Team concept was developed and implemented by the Los Angeles City Fire Department (LAFD) in 1985. The Whittier Narrows earthquake in 1987 underscored the area-wide threat of a major disaster in California. Further, it confirmed the need for training civilians to meet their immediate needs. As a result, the LAFD created the Disaster Preparedness Division with the purpose of training citizens and private and government employees.
The training program that LAFD initiated makes good sense and furthers the process of citizens understanding their responsibility in preparing for disaster. It also increases their ability to safely help themselves, their family and their neighbors. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recognizes the importance of preparing citizens. The Emergency Management Institute (EMI) and the National Fire Academy adopted and expanded the CERT materials believing them applicable to all hazards.
The CERT course will benefit any citizen who takes it. This individual will be better prepared to respond to and cope with the aftermath of a disaster. Additionally, if a community wants to supplement its response capability after a disaster, civilians can be recruited and trained as neighborhood, business, and government teams that, in essence, will be auxiliary responders. These groups can provide immediate assistance to victims in their area, organize spontaneous volunteers who have not had the training, and collect disaster intelligence that will assist professional responders with prioritization and allocation of resources following a disaster. Since 1993 when this training was made available nationally by FEMA, communities in 28 States and Puerto Rico have conducted CERT training.
CERT’s Mission is to assist in preparing the community with the knowledge to keep themselves, their Families, Neighbors, and Community Safe in a Disaster. Provide Manpower and Support to Emergency Services and 1st Responders. Lend Comfort and assistance to our Community in time of need.
All of our Disaster Simulation Drills are open to CERT Members and the public, to renew and hone their skills for the day we will need them in whatever capacity we find ourselves. Please Come, Please Participate, and Please Learn, and most of all have a great time developing friends you can trust and depend on!
CERT In An Emergency
In an Emergency those with CERT training have choices, abilities, skills, and responsibilities beyond that of a regular citizen of Wasatch County. You have been trained to make decisions and assessments to keep yourself and your family safe in an emergency. You have been further trained to assist your neighbors and your neighborhoods safe as well. Beyond that, you have training that will be an asset in our communities by volunteering to use the skills, knowledge, and experience you have developed through CERT Training.
Above all else you have been trained to keep yourself from injury so that you may be of assistance to others, by doing the most good for the greatest number of people, with the least amount of resources. To accomplish this you must take care of yourself, your family, and your neighbor’s so that you can be assured they are safe first to put your mind to rest that they are provided for and secure. In an Emergency, many other families will be in need of assistance as well, being that so many head of households will be out of reach of the County, and may be for some time. With the limited number of Professional First Responders in Wasatch County this gives CERT Members an opportunity to volunteer to assist our communities as well.