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New Member Training Coming in September

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We are excited to say that we have a schedule for our Fall new member training session.   We will be holding classes starting on September 25th  at the John Pettibone Community Center.

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  • Tuesday September 25th  – Introduction  and Disaster Preparedness
  • Thursday September 27th – Search and Rescue
  • Tuesday October 2nd  Fire Safety
  • Thursday October 4th – Shelter Operation
  • Saturday, October 6th  Med Ops 1 & 2
  • Tuesday, October  9th –  Terrorism and Disaster Psychology
  • Thursday October 11th – CERT Organization, Final and Graduation.

The weeknight evening classes start at 18:30 (6:30), Saturday class 08:30.

All new trainees will be asked to compete Online Course IS-317 before training begins. You make take the course as early as you like, to get an overview of what CERT is about.

“Introduction to Community Emergency Response Teams,” IS-317, is an independent study course that serves as an introduction to CERT for those wanting to complete training or as a refresher for current team members. It takes between six and eight hours to complete the course. Those who successfully finish it will receive a certificate of completion. It has six modules with topics that include:

  • Introduction to CERT
  • Fire Safety
  • Hazardous Material and Terrorist Incidents
  • Disaster Medical Operations
  • Search
  • Rescue

IS-317 can be taken by anyone interested in CERT. However, to become a CERT volunteer, one must complete the classroom training offered by a local government agency such as the emergency management agency, fire or police department. Contact your local emergency manager to learn about the local education and training opportunities available to you. Let this person know about your interest in taking CERT training.
Click here to take the course.

Please email info @ newmilfordcert.com  to register or ask questions, or reach out to us on Facebook!

 

 

What Is CERT?

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What is CERT?  CERT is a critical program in the effort to engage everyone in America in making their communities safer, more prepared, and more resilient when incidents occur.  CERT is a great way to give back to the community. Here in New Milford, our primary CERT function is to  open and operate shelters in the event that one is needed, as well as supporting emergency services when asked.  CERT members are trained in many areas, including  sheltering, first aid, triage, emergency, search and rescue, terrorism, among other things.  We meet once a month and at these meetings undergo additional training, or have refresher courses. so that we are always prepared.  Please follow us on social media  to stay up to date as to what is happening with New Milford CERT.

Community-based preparedness planning allows us all to prepare for and respond to anticipated disruptions and potential hazards following a disaster. As individuals, we can prepare our homes and families to cope during that critical period. Through pre-event planning, neighborhoods and worksites can also work together to help reduce injuries, loss of lives, and property damage. Neighborhood preparedness will enhance the ability
of individuals and neighborhoods to reduce their emergency needs and to manage their existing resources until professional assistance becomes available.

Studies of behavior following disasters have shown that groups working together in the disaster period perform more effectively if there has been prior planning and training for disaster response. These studies also show that organized grassroots efforts may be more successful if they are woven into the social and political fabric of the community— neighborhood associations, schools, workplaces, places of worship, and other existing
organizations.

Effective response therefore requires comprehensive planning and coordination of all who will be involved—government, volunteer groups, private businesses, schools, and community organizations. With training and information, individuals and community groups can be prepared to serve as a crucial resource capable of performing many of the emergency functions needed in the immediate post-disaster period. The CERT Program is designed to train individuals to be assets to help communities prepare for effective disaster response.

 

CERT