Second Graduating Class

The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program helps train people to be better prepared to respond to emergency situations in their communities. When emergencies happen, CERT members can give critical support to first responders, 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 a trained team of first responders who are certified instructors and have extensive experience in disaster response and mitigation.

The CERT concept was developed and implemented by the Los Angeles City Fire Department in 1985. FEMA made this training available nationally in 1993. Since this time, CERT programs have been established in more than 340 communities in 45 states.

The CERT training program is a 20-hour course. Participants of the Mehlville Fire Protection District.s CERT class received intensive, hands-on training through the course's nine modules: Disaster Preparedness, Fire Safety, Disaster Medical Operations, Light Search and Rescue, CERT Organization, CERT and Terrorism, Disaster Psychology and Preparedness for the Urban Environment. The training also includes a disaster simulation in which participants practice skills that they learned throughout the course.

CERT is a vital component of Citizen Corps, President Bush's community-based initiative to engage citizens in homeland security and community and family preparedness through public education and outreach, training opportunities, and volunteer service. "When residents are prepared for emergencies, they become part of the solution," Chief Haddock said. "CERTs will serve as the nucleus of emergency preparedness efforts in their communities. This program marks an important step toward empowering residents to better prepare their fellow citizens for disasters."

The CERT training class was offered in conjunction with the St. Louis County Police Department through a grant received through the Department of Homeland Security and the State of Missouri Emergency Management.