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 Community
Emergency Response Team
(CERT)
During emergencies or disasters, where
NERT has
been, now CERT will be.
It’s a new name for the
10-year-old program that provides community members
with the disaster-related know-how they need to be self sufficient and
support others, if necessary, until help can arrive.
CERT brings new services to our community as it is a
nationally-recognized program that developed in response to the attacks of
Sept. 11, 2001. The curriculum is well defined, includes terrorism awareness
and is similar to our cert training.
Communities with established CERT programs receive funding for training
and resources. Team members get the same training with CERT no matter where
they live and training certification is transferable. In order for our
existing team members to transition from cert to CERT, the Fire Department
will hold special training classes.
To learn more about CERT, go to
training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/CERT/ |
History
of NERT, the predecessor of CERT
In August of 1994, the Monterey Fire Department responded to a growing concern on
the part of the citizens of Monterey to provide disaster response training. With this in
mind, the Monterey Fire Department brought the San Francisco Fire Department's highly
successful Neighborhood Emergency Response Training (NERT) program to Monterey.
The first class of Monterey cert trainees completed the course in
February of 1995. These enthusiastic NERT's, who understand the importance of being
prepared, have spread the word since that time. Requests for additional classes have been
pouring in from citizens and businesses.
Each participant receives a student manual, safety helmet,
vest and a graduation certificate. At the time of enrollment, you may register to become a
volunteer disaster worker for the City. Quarterly drills are coordinated by fire
department personnel to maintain and improve cert skills.
DO the MOST GOOD for the MOST PEOPLE
The Loma Prieta and Northridge earthquakes have demonstrated the importance of civilian
volunteers during a disaster.
Spontaneous volunteers are always first on the
scene to conduct initial search, rescue and first aid.
NERT's are trained to communicate
effectively, and to participate in disaster response efforts.
Are you ready? |
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