Teen CERT

[BioG8r]

Lets see where this goes.

I received the following email through my school account.

From: FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) <fema@service.govdelivery.com>
To:
Sent: Wednesday, May 16, 2012 2:31 PM
Subject: Teen CERT webinar on Friday
This announcement has been updated to include the correct registration link and to clarify that Teen CERT is for grades 9-12. The webinar is at the same time.

WEBINAR THIS FRIDAY:
Teen CERT: Connecting School Emergency Management and Youth Preparedness

Friday, May 18, 2012
2:00 p.m. EDT (1:00 p.m. CT/Noon MT/11:00 a.m. PT)

UPDATED Registration Link: http://rems.ed.gov/index.php?page=training_webinars

Please join FEMA and the U.S. Department of Education

[jimmycthemd]

I have mixed feelings on CERT. On one hand, it's good to get involved in community preparedness and emergency responce teams. On the other hand, it's run by the government.

[BioG8r]

Thats why I posted it the way I did. I feel the same.

[Grand58742]

Not really run by the government. Initial training is administered by and chartered through the federal side, but the running and sponsoring of individual CERTs is up to the local community, county or state in which they were started. A community CERT can also receive initial funding for start up from the federal side, but typically has to rely on their own means afterwards.

I've always been a proponent of training no matter what the source. Well, there are limits on that lol, but CERT is one of the ones that provides a good basis for expanded training later. Call it a primer to get folks more involved in helping others and helping themselves overall. But certainly not the boogeyman .gov program with evil intentions some believe it could be.

[jimmycthemd]

I'll have to do some investigation into our local organization. I tend to be VERY leary of government run programs. A lot of it also depends upon what type of people are running it. Like I said, I'll have to check into it.

[Matt In Oklahoma]

I've done probably about 20 or more FEMA classes some in person some on the net and some for work related things. They are no different than any other class. You stay loyal to your beliefs and tailor the subject to your needs. They dont try and turn anyone into mindless zombies or put objects in you or send radio waves thru your head. There is also no reason you cant watch/join and see for yourself after all thats a parents responsibility anway. We are not supposed to blindly turn them loose to be trained by any/everyone. This will be more geared for weather related incidents and intial response than anything most likely. IE: after the tornado hits the school you need to do the following and maybe have the following items/list etc

[AGreyMan]

I 've been trying casually to get my kid's parochial school to get this program (sponsored by Wisconsin's "Ready Wisconsin") into my kid's school. So far, about zero interest. http://readywisconsin.wi.gov/STEP/STEP_Brochure_5.pdf

[thedreamers]

I read some where that they are giving CERT programs and then adding stuff from HLS into it. Namely asking everybody to be a spy for the goverment about what your neighbors, parents, or anyone around you are doing. Im not real keen on the goverment trying to get into the younger minds. The courses are great to take and learn from.

[jimmycthemd]

I found a regular CERT program about 15 miles from where I live. I'm going to try to schedule the class in once I get some other 'necessities' taken care of (LTS, water, etc.). Any training in this area would be advantageous for me as the last I've had was decades ago. Participating in the community readiness is a plus for me although I'm not holding my breath for the rest of the area being involved. All I can do is try to set an example.

[Matt In Oklahoma]

There are some online courses you can take

http://www.fema.gov/about/training/individuals.shtm

just depends on how you feel I guess. Just throwing it out there

[jimmycthemd]

Thanks, Matt. I looked at the subjects and they look like a good place to start. I bookmarked the page and will read through when I have more time. I've GOTTA get some knowledge in that area as I'm rusty as heck. It doesn't do me any good to get first aid stuff together if I'm not knowledgeable on how to use it. Lots of areas where I need work. Chipping away at it a little at a time :-)

[Grand58742]

The other thing that Matt's link helps with is to know the mindset of the responders coming in the wake of a disaster. I've taken a few of those courses myself (the command and control ones) and it's a better insight as to the higher level thinking of the planning and response to selected situations. Provided, there isn't one fits all approach, but it does give a look into the "response" training given out at that level.

[jimmycthemd]

The other thing that Matt's link helps with is to know the mindset of the responders coming in the wake of a disaster. I've taken a few of those courses myself (the command and control ones) and it's a better insight as to the higher level thinking of the planning and response to selected situations. Provided, there isn't one fits all approach, but it does give a look into the "response" training given out at that level.

Excellent point!! One I never thought about :-)

[jimmycthemd]

Ok, it's been a couple of years since this post so I thought I'd give an updated opinion/experience on the subject. First, a little background: the wife and I took the CERT training this spring. We didn't intentionally wait this long but last years training was already full. Here's what I've found.

1) Although this training is sponsored by FEMA, it is organized and taught by local authorities; usually either the local fire or police department. Ours was taught by the local fire department.

2) The training is very basic. The medical is on par with the Boy Scouts first aid merit badge. You're taught how to do a 'head to toe assesment', apply a splint, tournequet, etc.. They did not teach CPR.

3) The first thing they admit is that the local resources can easily be overwhelmed in a true disaster situation be it local, regional or national. A good thing for the non-preparedness minded folks to hear.

4) There were some pretty good sessions on light search and rescue, fire supression and pet rescue (something I hadn't thought about).

5) The Incident Command Structure, like Grand posted, is actually pretty informative. I would HIGHLY suggest anyone read and understand that section for two reasons:

a) Like Grand states, it's an excellent way to understand how things will be structured when the government responds. This structure is used by Fire, Poice and most military that will be present. Understanding the system will help you work with or around that system. Knowledge is power.

b) If you are organizing a MAG or even some friends to prepare or respond to an 'incident', there are more than a few take-aways you can use for ideas to bend, fold or spindle to adapt to your intentions/situations.

6) For those that know folks that are not necessarily into preparedness but you want them to do something usefull, this is a good gubment sponsored introduction that might get them thinking. If they're argument is that FEMA or the government will be there to take care of them, this is a good way for the government to tell them 'not necessarily so'. May wake a few folks up.

7) As a plus, at the end of the training/practical test, we got some supplies. A backpack with the following contents:

Basic first aid kit
Natural Gas shutoff tool (Home Depot didn't even know what one was)
Safety glasses
Hard Hat
Work gloves
Nitrile gloves

I'm not usually one to make blanket statements without at least some research. I'm also not one to take 'freebies' from the government as I believe in paying my own way. This is one case where the government is trying to help folks help themselves out of difficult situations and that kind of help I truely support. I'm being man enough to admit when I've discovered that I held a misconception.

For those that are interested, here's the link to their training manuals:

http://www.fema.gov/community-emerge...ning-materials

[tech]

Don't forget to check the part of the website where they require an oath of allegiance, a detailed background check, etc.

Join CERT? ...nah, I don't think so.

I do concur that there are many aspects that can be learned from their training, such as how to prepare for their response to an incident. More details on the chain of command can be acquired by checking out the Incident Command System...

Another item, straight out of their liability handbook:

Prohibit members from bringing weapons to CERT activities unless they are
sworn law enforcement officers and carrying the weapon is part of their job.