Local Emergency Planning Commision

District 10

Essex & Orleans Counties

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Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)

The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program helps train people to be better prepared to respond to emergency situations in their communities. When large-scale emergencies happen, CERT members can give critical support to first responders and other disaster volunteer agencies, provide immediate assistance to victims, and organize spontaneous volunteers at a disaster site. CERT members can also help with non-emergency projects that help improve the safety of the community.

The CERT course is taught in the community by trained instructors who have completed a CERT Train-the-Trainer course conducted by their state training office for emergency management, or the Federal Emergency Management Agency. CERT training includes areas such as disaster preparedness, disaster fire suppression, CPR and first aid, shelter operations and traffic control.

Why take the CERT training?

Local government prepares for everyday emergencies. However, there are emergencies and disasters that can overwhelm the community’s immediate response capability. While adjacent jurisdictions, State and Federal resources can activate to help, there may be a delay for them getting to those who need help. The primary reason for CERT training is to give people the decision-making and physical skills to offer immediate assistance to family members, neighbors, and associates. While people will respond to others in need without the training, the goal of the CERT program is to help them do so effectively and efficiently without placing themselves in unnecessary danger.

What if I want to do more than just the basic training?

CERT members are a potential volunteer pool for the community. They can help with special projects like distributing preparedness material throughout their communities. Some CERT members have sought additional training opportunities in shelter management and community relations.

It is important to remember that the best source of help in emergencies is professional responders. However, in situations when they are not immediately available, people can use the skills taught in the CERT classes to help others until help arrives.

If you would like to apply for CERT, click here for a printable form to complete and mail.

Conclusion

CERT is about readiness, people helping people, rescuer safety, and doing the greatest good for the greatest number. CERT is a positive and realistic approach to emergency and disaster situations where citizens will be initially on their own and their actions can make a difference. Through training, citizens can manage utilities and put out small fires; treat the three killers by opening airways, controlling bleeding, and treating for shock; provide basic medical aid; search for and rescue victims safely; and organize themselves and spontaneous volunteers to be effective.   If you would like to become a CERT member in your community, please complete the CERT Registration Form and submit it today to your Local Emergency Planning Committee #10 or contact Dennis Kelley, CERT Chair, 802-873-9002 or Bonita Lambert, 802-334-7289, and email questions to LEPC10nt@sover.net.