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Police Department |
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Community Emergency Response Team |
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CERT Contact Info:
Community
Relations
Fax Number (847) 658-7908 |
About CERT History Training Tri-Area Council News Links
The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program educates people about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their area 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, CERT members can assist others in their neighborhood or workplace following an event when professional responders are not immediately available to help. CERT members also are encouraged to support emergency response agencies by taking a more active role in emergency preparedness projects in their community.
People who go through CERT training have a better understanding of the potential threats to their home, workplace and community and can take the right steps to lessen the effects of these hazards on themselves, their homes or workplace. If a disaster happens that overwhelms local response capability, CERT members can apply the training learned in the classroom and during exercises to give critical support to their family, loved ones, neighbors or associates in their immediate area until help arrives. When help does arrive, CERTs provide useful information to responders and support their efforts, as directed, at the disaster site. CERT members can also assist with non-emergency projects that improve the safety of the community. CERTs have been used to distribute and/or install smoke alarms, replace smoke alarm batteries in the home of elderly, distribute disaster education material, provide services at special events, such as parades, sporting events, concerts and more.
More about CERT… 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.
If we can predict that emergency services will not meet immediate needs following a major disaster, especially if there is no warning, and people will spontaneously volunteer, what can government do to prepare citizens for this eventuality?
For more on the CERT program in Lake in the Hills, please feel free to contact the Police Department.
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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.
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The CERT training for community members is usually delivered in 4 hour sessions, one evening a week over a 5 week period.
The training consists of the following:
CERT Training will teach participants to:
Instructor: Tom Ruzinok |
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TRI AREA CITIZENS CORPS COUNCIL
The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program educates people about disaster preparedness and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, and disaster medical operations. Using their training, CERT members can assist others in their neighborhood or workplace following an event and can take a more active role in preparing their community. The program is administered by DHS.
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CITIZEN CORPS MILESTONES SINCE 9/11
2001
Citizen
Corps mobilizes 2,700 volunteers from 48 states to support FEMA during
the 2004 hurricane season.
Listo,
the Spanish version of the Ready campaign, is launched.
Local and
tribal councils number more than 2,050 serving 73 percent of the
population.
Expanded
the Affiliate network of national non-profits and other government
groups to 25. Citizen Corps Program Partners are experiencing steady growth. As of September 11, 2006:
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Lake in the Hills Village Hall
Hours: 8:30am - 5:00pm Monday - Friday Finance Department has extended hours Thursdays until 7:30pm, providing limited services. |
