Purpose

Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT) are groups of amateur emergency workers. CERT participants receive basic training from emergency response professionals and work in the initial aftermath of a disaster to augment official emergency services.

Training

Community Emergency Response Teams are trained in basic emergency response procedures such as:

• Assessing structural integrity and performing light search and rescue
• Collecting and recording vital information to be relayed to professional responders on damage, victims and actions taken or resources needed
• Conducting an initial size-up of the situation in their immediate area
• Performing immediate medical triage and basic treatment of injuries
• Providing leadership to untrained volunteers
• Reducing immediate dangers by turning off utilities, suppressing small fires and evacuating hazardous areas

Program

The fire departments and districts in Marin County have undertaken a program of CERT for civilians. This shortened version (10 hours) with more hands-on experience, will be taught to Marin County residents by Marin fire agency personnel. The intent is to train and prepare volunteers to achieve a higher level of basic skills in:

Earthquake survival Emergency preparedness

Fire prevention and suppression Search and rescue / disaster first aid

Join CERT

Visit the Ready Marin website for registration details and more information.