Frequently Asked Questions
What is CERT?
CERT training promotes a partnering
effort between emergency services and the people in the
community. The CERT program educates people about
disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their
area and trains them in basic disaster response skills
such as fire safety, light search and rescue, disaster
medical operations and team organization.
What is the role of CERT members?
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 learned during
training. These skills can help save and sustain lives
following a disaster until help arrives. CERT skills
also apply to daily emergencies.
How does CERT benefit the community?
People who go through CERT training have
a better understanding of the potential threats to their
home, workplace and community and can take the right
steps to lessen the effects of these hazards on
themselves, their homes or workplace. If a disaster
happens that overwhelms local response capability, CERT
members can apply the training learned in the classroom
and during the exercises to give critical support to
their family, loved ones, neighbors or associates in
their immediate area until help arrives. When help does
arrive, CERTs provide useful information to responders
and support their efforts, as directed at the disaster
site.
Who can become a CERT member?
CERT training is available to anyone who
lives or works in Sedgwick County and is at least 18
years old.
What is required to
become a CERT member?
To become a CERT member, you need to
complete the 24-hour basic training session. Typically
the training includes eight sessions, seven skill
building sessions and a final session that is a disaster
simulation in which participants are able to practice
the skills they have learned throughout the course.
How do I sign up for training?
For more information about education and
training, please contact the Sedgwick County Division of
Public Safety at 316-660-9393 or apply online to become
a CERT member and receive information on upcoming
training..
How much does the CERT training cost?
Training is offered free of charge by
the Sedgwick County Division of Public Safety. Upon
training completion, each CERT member will receive a
CERT backpack with various disaster response materials.
What else do CERT members participate
in?
CERT members maintain and refine their
skills by participating in refresher classes and
exercises. They can attend supplemental training
opportunities offered by the sponsoring agency and
others that further their skills base. In addition, CERT
members can help educate the public on disaster
preparedness, while also informing them about what CERT
is.
©, Copyright, 2004
Sedgwick County Medical
Reserve Corps
last update:
06/24/04
Please report problems to the webmaster
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Your
Government
