CERT

What is CERT?

A 2002, President Bush initiative asking all Americans to volunteer in service to their country.
The Citizen Corps Program was created to spearhead this effort to harness the power of every individual through education, training and volunteer service.
It is envisioned that we can make our communities safer, stronger and better prepared to respond to threats of terrorism, crime, public health issues and disasters of all kinds.
CERT was selected as one of the primary training initiatives to be offered to the American public to meet this challenge.
CERT’s have been established in hundreds of communities in 28 states and Puerto Rico.
CERT training is a very recent phenomenon in Illinois. As of January 2006 there were over 80 Citizen Corps Councils with approximately 35 communities offering the CERT training in the state.

How can CERT trained volunteers help?

CERT training promotes a partnering effort between emergency services and the people they serve.
The goal is for emergency personnel to train members of neighborhoods, community organizations, or workplaces in basic response skills.
CERT members can then be integrated into the emergency response capability for their area.
If a disastrous event overwhelms or delays the community’s professional response, CERT members can assist others by applying the basic response and organizational skills that they have learned during training.
These skills can help save and sustain lives following a disaster until help arrives. CERT skills also apply to daily emergencies.
CERT members maintain and refine their skills by participating in exercises and activities
CERT members can volunteer for projects that improve community emergency preparedness.

What will CERT training teach participants?

Describe the types of hazards most likely to affect their homes and communities.
Describe the function of CERT and their roles in immediate response.
Take steps to prepare themselves for a disaster.
Identify and reduce potential fire hazards in their homes and workplaces.
Work as a team to apply basic fire suppression strategies, resources, and safety measures to extinguish a burning liquid.
Apply techniques for opening airways, controlling bleeding, and treating shock.
Conduct triage under simulated conditions.
Perform head-to-toe medical assessments.
Select and set up a treatment area.
Employ basic treatments for various wounds
Identify planning and size-up requirements for potential search and rescue operations.
Describe the most common techniques for searching a structure.
Use safe techniques for debris removal and victim extraction.
Describe ways to protect rescuers during search and rescue.
Recognize acts of terrorism.

Who should take CERT training?

What about specifics on CERT training modules?

Why is Palatine providing this FREE training?

Palatine’s Citizen Corps Council recognized the benefit of CERT Training when the train-the-trainer class was first offered in April of 2003.
Palatine sent two instructors to the initial training and now has ten trained volunteers capable of providing this instruction.
To date Palatine has conducted 20 classes with over 250 citizens trained.
Plans are being developed to utilize these trained individuals in the event of a disaster.
Palatine CERT members have responded to Utica, IL to assist in debris removal and to Florida and Georgia to assist the victims of the rash of September hurricanes that wreaked havoc in the South in the fall of 2004.
CERT trained volunteers have helped out at Street Fest and in other non disaster situations.

When can I take the CERT training?

Palatine schedules CERT classes at various times throughout the year.
Most sessions are being held at 200 E. Wood (Village Hall Building) in the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) located in the lower level on the West End of the building.
Instruction includes lecture, tabletop exercises and practical hands-on involvement including the use of fire extinguishers and splintting and bandaging victims with injuries.

How can I sign up for the CERT training?

Should you have any questions, or wish to learn more about the classes including class dates, you can contact Tom Smith, Palatine’s Emergency Management Coordinator at (847) 359-9056 e-mail at tsmith@palatine.il.us.
Registration is mandatory and Palatine residents and those that work or have businesses in Palatine will have priority in placement in the classes.
Special classes can be arranged for groups of 12-18 people.

Be Informed *Be Prepared* Take Action* Be Safe

Training Palatine in Emergency Response