Community Emergency Response Team Training

About the CERT program:
During his 2002 State of the Union Address, President Bush asked Americans to volunteer their services in order to improve and safeguard their country. Harnessing the spirit of cooperation that developed after the tragic events of September 11th, he created the Citizen Corps Program to organize volunteer services in the areas of crime, natural disaster and terrorism. The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) is a part of that program.

While CERT originated as a team approach, it has moved toward a more sustainable neighborhood and family approach. CERT is about readiness, people helping people, rescuer safety, and doing the greatest good for the greatest number. The classes are 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 CERT course is delivered in the community by a team of trained first responders. The training generally consists of the following courses:

I: General Disaster Preparedness
II: Disaster Fire Suppression
III: Disaster Medical Operations I
IV: Disaster Medical Operations II
V: Disaster Psychology
VI: Terrorism Awareness
VII: Course Review and Disaster Simulation

The next training coming up is in Kalama. The classes will be held the first 3 Saturdays in June at the Fire District 5-2 Fire Station at 415 Todd Road in Kalama. All classes will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (lunch is on your own). If you are interested in getting some great training for FREE please send an email to DEM@co.cowlitz.wa.us. You must register to attend the class.