The CERT Program
Training Civilians to Meet Immediate Disaster Needs

By Peter W. Blaich

The attacks of September 11, 2001 underscored the area-wide threat of a major disaster to large cities. Furthermore, it confirms the need for training civilians to meet immediate emergency needs. When available, the fire department is the best trained and equipped to handle emergencies and should be utilized. However, following a catastrophic disaster, the community may be on it's own for a period of time because of the size of the area affected, lost communications, and impassable roads.

As city residents brace for another terrorist attack by stocking up on water as well as buying plastic and duck tape to cover their windows, a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program could combat fear and prepare civilians to help themselves, their families, and their neighbors in the event of a catastrophic disaster. Of significance, emergency service personnel will not be able to help everyone immediately. Fire Protection Managers can empower civilians to make a difference by using CERT train-ing to save lives and protect property.

CERT training covers basic skills that are important to know in a disaster when emergency services are not available. September 11, 2001 showed that ordinary people will want to help. With training and practice, and by working as a team, civilians will be able to do the greatest good for the greatest number after a disaster, while protecting others from becoming victims.

CERT is about readiness, people helping people, rescuer safety, and doing the greatest good for the greatest number. With fear of other attacks looming over every civilian's head, why not help them overcome their fear by empowering them with education? 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. They can treat the three killers by opening airways, controlling bleeding, and treating for shock. In addition, they would be able to provide basic medical aid for and rescue victims safely, while organizing themselves and spontaneous volunteers to be effective.

Training Should Include:

• Disaster Preparedness: Addresses hazards to which people are vulnerable in their community. Materials should cover actions that participants and their families take before, during, and after a disaster. The CERT concept and organization are discussed as well as applicable laws governing volunteers in that jurisdiction.
• Disaster Fire Suppression: The thrust of this session is safe use of fire extinguishers, size up of the situation, controlling utilities, and extinguishing a small fire.
• Disaster Medical Operations: Participants practice diagnosing and treating airway obstruction, bleeding, and shock by using simple triage and rapid treatment techniques. Participants establish a medical treatment area and perform basic first aid. Moreover, participants should be certified to perform cardio- pulmonary resuscitation.
• Light Search And Rescue Operations: Participants learn about search and rescue planning and most important rescuer safety.
• Disaster Psychology: This covers signs and symptoms that might be experienced by the disaster victim and worker.
• Review And Disaster Simulation: Participants review their answers from a take home examination. Finally, they practice the skills they have learned during the previous sessions in disaster activity.

Equipment Needed
During each session participants are required to bring safety equipment (work gloves, goggles and a filter mask) and disaster supplies (bandages, dressing and a flashlight). If funding is available your department or municipality could purchase these items. If funding is not available, the volunteers would be asked to bring their own supplies. Additional equipment would include a hard hat and an identification vest or jacket.

Technical Support and Resources
Call the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland at (301) 447-1000 and confer with the CERT Coordinator for the Federal Emergency Management Agency. FEMA will provide the initial supply of training manuals and coordinate certifying your department's CERT program. Or you can visit EMI's website at http://training.fema.gov/emiweb/cert

Firefighters have an obligation to be the advocate of those affected by disaster as well as those who will be affected by future disasters. Civilians, today more than ever, are looking to the fire service as a source of hope, inspiration and guidance. Preplanning is necessary in an effective disaster control program and makes for an effective response to terrorism. Moreover, a fire department-based CERT initiative insures that fire protection managers meet this obligation.

About the Author
Peter W. Blaich is a firefighter with the Fire Department of New York (FDNY) assigned to Ladder 123 in Brooklyn. He is a Community Emergency Response Team Instructor for the Federal Emergency Management Agency, an American Heart Association Instructor Trainer, and an Emergency Medical Technician. He has a Bachelor's Degree in Fire Administration from the State University of New York and is a Graduate Student in Fire Protection Management at John Jay College of Criminal Justice.