River Bend C.E.R.T.
The Town of River Bend has a functional and well trained
Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). Read on
to learn more about CERT and consider becoming involved
by taking the training and becoming prepared to respond in
the event of an emergency. This team is a great resource in
this community and always welcomes new members.
The CERT program educates people about disaster
preparedness with particular emphasis on hazards that may
impact their area. It 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 are
also encouraged to support emergency response agencies by
taking a more active role in emergency preparedness
projects in their community.
Background (from the national CERT website)
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.
The CERT course will benefit any citizen who takes it. This
individual will be better prepared to respond to and cope
with the aftermath of a disaster. Additionally, if a
community wants to supplement its response capability
after a disaster, civilians can be recruited and trained as
neighborhood, business, and government teams that, in
essence, will be auxiliary responders. These groups can
provide immediate assistance to victims in their area,
organize spontaneous volunteers who have not had the
training, and collect disaster intelligence that will assist
professional responders with prioritization and allocation of
resources following a disaster. Since 1993 when this training
was made available nationally by FEMA, communities in 28
States and Puerto Rico have conducted CERT training.
The Town of River Bend has a functional and well trained
Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). Read on
to learn more about CERT and consider becoming involved
by taking the training and becoming prepared to respond in
the event of an emergency. This team is a great resource in
this community and always welcomes new members.
The CERT program educates people about disaster
preparedness with particular emphasis on hazards that may
impact their area. It 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 are
also encouraged to support emergency response agencies by
taking a more active role in emergency preparedness
projects in their community.
Background (from the national CERT website)
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.
The CERT course will benefit any citizen who takes it. This
individual will be better prepared to respond to and cope
with the aftermath of a disaster. Additionally, if a
community wants to supplement its response capability
after a disaster, civilians can be recruited and trained as
neighborhood, business, and government teams that, in
essence, will be auxiliary responders. These groups can
provide immediate assistance to victims in their area,
organize spontaneous volunteers who have not had the
training, and collect disaster intelligence that will assist
professional responders with prioritization and allocation of
resources following a disaster. Since 1993 when this training
was made available nationally by FEMA, communities in 28
States and Puerto Rico have conducted CERT training.
| Meeting Information Next Meeting: February 27, 2012 7:00 p.m Meeting Minutes CERT Member Resources CERT Photo Page Photos of CERT Events Joining CERT Coming Soon. Public Service Information and Links Coming Soon. |
| River Bend CERT Officers Director Gary Novak Co-Director Dana Donahue Secretary Mary Holihan Training Director Mary Holihan Safety Director Bob Kohn Equipment Logistics John Butters Police Liaison Sgt. H. Reigelsperger Council Liaison Egon Lippert |
| Copyright © 2009 Town of River Bend, NC. All Rights Reserved. Click Here for Disclaimers and Legal Notices regarding the use of this Site. |
| CERT is a proud partner of Citizen Corps and the effort to have everyone in America prepare, train, and volunteer. |
| Link to the North Carolina CERT website. |