DUNELLEN CERT
The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program is a nationwide initiative designed to train and prepare community members to respond effectively during emergency situations. When emergencies occur, CERT members play a vital role by supporting first responders, providing immediate assistance to victims, and helping organize spontaneous volunteers at disaster sites.
Beyond emergency response, CERT members also participate in non-emergency activities that enhance overall community safety and preparedness. Dunellen CERT is committed to strengthening community resilience by equipping residents with the information, education, and training needed to respond confidently during emergencies. By serving as a critical resource in the early stages of an incident, CERT helps busy first responders focus on higher-priority, life-saving operations when they arrive on scene.
Community Resilience
CERT enhances community resilience by maintaining a trained volunteer force capable of assisting with a wide range of emergency and disaster response tasks, as well as preparedness and outreach efforts.
Training, Skills, and Community Support
CERT members receive training in essential disaster response skills, including:
- Disaster Preparedness
- Introduction to disasters specific to the community, and the impact of disasters on infrastructure.
- Introduction to disasters specific to the community, and the impact of disasters on infrastructure.
- Disaster Fire Suppression
- Identifying and reducing potential fire hazards and basic fire suppression.
- Identifying and reducing potential fire hazards and basic fire suppression.
- Disaster Medical Operations
- Part I: Treatment strategies for life-threatening conditions and principles of triage.
- Part II: Head-to-toe patient assessment and treatment for various injuries.
- Part I: Treatment strategies for life-threatening conditions and principles of triage.
- Light Search and Rescue Operations
- Techniques for sizing up and searching, lifting, cribbing, and removing victims; rescue safety.
- Techniques for sizing up and searching, lifting, cribbing, and removing victims; rescue safety.
- Disaster Psychology & Team Organization
- The post-disaster emotional environment will be discussed. CERT organization, decision-making, and documentation.
- The post-disaster emotional environment will be discussed. CERT organization, decision-making, and documentation.
- Terrorism
- A brief overview of terrorism weapons. Identifying targets in an area and discussing time/distance/shielding.
- A brief overview of terrorism weapons. Identifying targets in an area and discussing time/distance/shielding.
- Final Exercise
- Disaster Simulation realistic to your community.
When not engaged in emergency response, CERT members may assist with traffic control during community events, conduct informational and educational sessions, promote awareness of local hazards and preparedness measures, and serve as subject-matter experts during town halls and other municipal briefings.
Support for Professional Responders
CERT provides critical initial support during emergencies until professional responders can arrive, allowing them to concentrate on more complex and technical response operations.
History
The CERT concept was developed by the Los Angeles City Fire Department in 1985 and became a national program in 1993 through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Today, CERT programs operate nationwide to help communities become safer and more prepared.
Dunellen CERT operates under the Dunellen Office of Emergency Management and is led by Homer M. Mosley, Director.
Getting Involved
While becoming an official member of Dunellen CERT is strongly encouraged, residents are welcome to take advantage of CERT training opportunities even if they do not wish to join the team formally. These trainings can benefit you, your family, neighbors, and friends.
Community Emergency Response Teams in Action - Video 1
Community Emergency Response Teams in Action - Video 2
For additional information about Dunellen CERT, or to attend one of our monthly meetings to learn more, please contact: Chuck Lopez, CERT Coordinator at 732-236-0681 or [email protected]