Neighbors helping neighbors during a disaster--

Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT) are a way for neighbors to be ready to help neighbors when disaster strikes. CERT's  are also a big part of the Community Emergency Services Program in other areas and should be in North Smithfield.

 In the event of a natural disaster such as a severe winter storm or major earthquake, households need to be prepared for self-sufficiency during the first 72 hours. During that critical period, neighborhoods need to be prepared for self-sufficiency, too. Neighborhoods will be on their own and volunteers will naturally be the first available emergency responders in their own communities, especially when fire and police services are slowed by damaged streets, downed communication lines and an overwhelming number of requests for help.

 Community Emergency Reponse Team (CERT) would be trained and certified to provide emergency disaster assistance within their own neighborhoods. CERT  members will receive basic training to help them save lives, preserve property, and speed recovery throughout their community.

NSEMA will train and help organize teams in each neighborhood. The Agency's initial goal is to certify 12 individuals in each area, assuming that those team members will be able to enlist the spontaneous volunteers who will come forth to offer their assistance during the emergency. With training, CERT members will be:
 
 

1. Better prepared for self-sufficiency for 72 hours following a disaster.
2. Able to provide emergency assistance to their family and immediate neighbors.
3. Able to work as an emergency response team to save lives and property in their neighborhood.
4. Able to guide untrained volunteers who want to help the CERT  take care of the neighborhood in the event of a major disaster.

For certification, CERT  trainees must attend seven classes and a practice exercise scheduled at the end of the course--a total of 20hours of basic training. The training covers the following topics:

 Week #1: DISASTER AWARENESS, HOME PREPAREDNESS, NET CONCEPT

• Disaster Awareness
• Home Preparedness and Hazard Mitigation
• Neighborhood Preparedness and CERT's

 

 
 
 
 
 
 


 
 
 
 
 
 

Week #2: UTILITY CONTROL, FIRE SUPPRESSION, OTHER HAZARDS

• Gas, Electricity, Water--When to Shut Off and How
• Fire Extinguishers--Types and Uses
• Hazardous Materials in the Home and Neighborhood

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Week #3: DISASTER MEDICINE (I)

• Recognition and Treatment of Life-Threatening Injuries Treatment of Other Injuries
• Medical Triage--How to Decide Who to Treat and When

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Week #4: DISASTER MEDICINE (II)

• Treatment of Non-Life-Threatening Injuries
• Setting Up a Medical Treatment Area
• Public Health Considerations, Bloodborne Pathogens

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Week #5 LIGHT SEARCH & RESCUE (I)

• Earthquake Effects on Different Types of Construction
• Visual Assessment of Damaged Buildings
• Search Techniques

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Week #6: LIGHT SEARCH & RESCUE (II)

• Rescue Techniques
• Patient Transport
• Rescuer Safety Review

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Week #7: TEAM RESPONSE AND MANAGEMENT

• Disaster Psychology for Victims and Rescuers
• CERT Team Management
• CERT's   in Action--Tabletop Exercise

 

 
 
 
 
 

Week #8: FINAL EXERCISE
 CERT training will be provided free of charge to people who live in Northern Rhode Island.

How do I sign up?

There are going to be classes being scheduled at this time. Starting SEPTEMBER 4TH, 2007

The basic training course is offered  during the year--Spring& Fall Time. During each course, the classes are offered ONCE  each week on Tuesday evenings for seven weeks in a row. . (Participants register for and attend all classes in one series or the other.) NO charge for these classes.

 PLEASE REMEMBER THAT YOU MUST REGISTER FOR THE CERT TRAINING. THE NEXT COURSE WILL BEGIN IN
  SEPTEMBER 4TH. CLASSES ARE AT THE NORTH SMITHFIELD PUBLIC SAFETY CENTER(FORMER BUSHEESCHOOL) 575 SMITHFIELD ROAD(NS POLICE STATION).

• Tuesday  EVENING CLASSES run seven weeks consecutively from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM.starts SEPTEMBER 4TH, 2007. Graduates receive CERT certification and CERT emergency kit free of charge.

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

ALL TRAINEES WILL ALSO PARTICIPATE IN A FINAL EXERCISE. IF YOU LIVE IN NORTHERN RHODE ISLAND AND WOULD LIKE TO RECEIVE INFORMATION PLEASE SEND US AN E-MAIL, at NSEMA@COX.NET . or Call 767-2206 leave your name and number. Will call you when the classes will start.

 To maintain and increase disaster response skills, the CERT  Program also offers advanced classes to those who have completed the basic training. The advanced classes are held quarterly.

 The NSEMA  will also provide training to businesses who want to develop in-house disaster response teams. For more information on business teams, please contact us by E-MAIL(NSEMA@COX.NET) or call 767-2206 Homeland Security Office.