FSM Archivist Joins Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)
FSM Archivist Joins Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)
In December 2007 I received a notice from the Hearing Loss Association that is working with the Missouri Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (MCDHH). The Missouri Homeland Security and the Operations, Training and Exercise Branches of the Missouri State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) funded and provided a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) basic course training chiefly for deaf and hearing impaired citizens!
The CERT basic course training was held this past December in Columbia, MO.
There were fourteen of us in the class; thirteen communicated mainly by sign language. The instructors had the assistance of three persons who communicated the information in sign language; another person provided the closed-captioning of the information given.
CERT Training is designed to prepare individuals to help themselves, their family, and their neighbors in the event of a catastrophic disaster. Because emergency services personnel will not be able to help everyone immediately, CERT individuals can make a difference by using the skills taught to save lives and protect property. This training covers basic skills that are important to know in a disaster when emergency services are not available. In 95% of emergencies, family members, neighbors and/or fellow employees are the first to provide emergency assistance or to perform a rescue. In large-scale disasters, there are not enough professional responders to take care of people; it’s estimated that emergency services may not be available for 72 hours after a disaster. Factors such as the number of victims, communication failures and road blockage will prevent people from the emergency services they have come to expect. Therefore, CERT individuals can make a difference in the interim; people will have to rely on each other to meet their immediate life saving and sustaining needs.
A backpack was provided that included a CERT helmet and vest, goggles, mask, latex, non-latex and heavy duty gloves (all of which were worn during practice exercises). Also included in the backpack were a wrench, and a first-aid kit; we were encouraged to include some sterile supplies.
In addition to the instructors, a fireman, policeman and specialist in terrorism gave presentations. We were encouraged to participate with our local community efforts and to obtain continuing education sessions.
Submitted by Sr. Marylu Stueber
For more information about what I learned during the CERT Training, email me at mstueber@fsmonline.org.