CERT – Community Emergency Response Team
The MHFire Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) educates people about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact them 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, Maryland Heights CERT members can assist others in their neighborhood or workplace following an event when professional responders may not be immediately available to help due to the event. CERT members are also encouraged to take a more active role in emergency preparedness projects in their community.
Make a Disaster Preparedness Kit
One of the most important tasks American citizens can accomplish with the assistance of the MHFire CERT Website is to establish a Disaster Preparedness Kit. Ensuring that you and your family have a plan in case of disaster is one of the most vital components of being prepared. Click here for more information to make yours now!
Sign Up for a CERT Class Today!
Are you looking for more information so that you too can become part of the Maryland Heights Fire CERT? Click here to send us your request and we’ll get right back to you with details!
General MHFire CERT Course Outline:
The CERT Training for community groups is usually delivered in 2 1/2 hour sessions, one evening a week over a 7 week period. The training consists of the following:
Session 1 – DISASTER PREPAREDNESS: Addresses hazards to which people are vulnerable in their community. Materials cover actions that participants and their families take before, during and after a disaster. As the sessions progresses, the instructor begins to explore an expanded response role for civilians in that they should begin to consider themselves disaster workers. Since they will want to help their family members and neighbors, this training can help them operate in a safe and appropriate manner. the CERT concept and organization are discussed as well as applicable laws governing volunteers in that jurisdiction.
Session 2 – DISASTER FIRE SUPPRESSION: Briefly covers fire chemistry, hazardous materials, fire hazards and fire suppression strategies. However, the thrust of this session is the safe use of fire extinguishers, sizing up the situation, controlling utilities, and extinguishing a small fire.
Session 3 – DISASTER MEDICAL OPERATIONS PART 1: Participants practice diagnosing and treating airway obstruction, bleeding and shock by using simple triage and rapid treatment techniques.
Session 4 – DISASTER MEDICAL OPERATIONS PART II: Covers evaluating patients by doing a head to toe assessment, establishing a medical treatment area, performing basic first aid, and practicing in a safe and sanitary manner.
Session 5 – LIGHT SEARCH AND RESCUE OPERATIONS: Participants learn about search and rescue planning, size-up, search techniques, and most important: rescuer safety.
Session 6 – DISASTER PSYCHOLOGY AND TEAM ORGANIZATION: Covers signs and symptoms that might be experienced by the disaster victim and worker. It addresses CERT organization and management principles and the need for documentation.
Session 7 – COURSE REVIVE AND DISASTER SIMULATION: Participants review their answers from a take-home examination. Finally, they practice the skills that they have learned during the previous 6 sessions in disaster activity.