Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) was initially developed in southern California in response to the earthquake danger. It was found that many citizens wanted to help, but because of their lack of knowledge or skills, they were ineffective or, even worse, were being injured in the process. CERT was created to give citizens the ability to respond appropriately in a disaster situation, managing situations until trained emergency response agencies arrive, and then working with them to stabilize the incident. FEMA has recognized the value of the CERT program and is promoting it to deal with all types of disasters, natural or man-made.
Boring Fire District, in cooperation with Sandy, Estacada, Hoodland and Corbett Fire Districts, offers CERT training twice a year, or as interest requires. Classes cover 24 hours in instruction in basic skills in emergency preparedness, fire safety, first aid, search and rescue, team organization and disaster psychology. Team members are expected to attend all classes and a final exercise. Classes have been offered one night a week for nine weeks with an all-day Saturday final exercise as well as on two ten-hour Saturdays to accommodate different schedules. Monthly refresher and expanded training classes are also offered.
While the emphasis is on disaster-preparedness at the neighborhood level, CERT members also participate in a wide variety of public education and safety programs. CERTs have helped at fire department training sessions, safety fairs and are trained to assist law enforcement with traffic control and evacuations.
For information about the next class or on-going training, go to the events calendar. To register for a class or for more information, contact Alice Lasher at 503-668-2728, 971-563-3051, or Rick Larson at rickl@boringfire.com.
