TLHCA

Citizen Emergency Response Training (CERT)

Citizen Emergency Response Training Begins in September

Individuals who live and/or work in Arlington County are invited to participate in Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training. The eight-week course trains citizens to be safer in their own home and workplace and to save and sustain lives in the event of major disasters.  Topics covered include disaster preparedness, disaster medical operations, fire suppression and utility shut-off, disaster psychology, team organization and terrorism.

The training follows a national curriculum developed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Department of Homeland Security and is sponsored by the County’s Office of Emergency Management and Fire Department.  To date, over 400 Arlington residents have completed this free training and about 200 have continued as active members of neighborhood teams. These individuals are prepared to assist in a major emergency when the County’s responders are committed elsewhere, are delayed in their response or request assistance from trained citizens.  The training also promotes personal preparedness that will improve the ability of your neighborhood — and the County — to bounce back after an emergency.

Participants must be at least 18 years old (16 and up if accompanied by an adult) and able to participate in all aspects of the training, some of which requires lifting and carrying.  Two courses, which meet six weeknights and two Saturdays, are scheduled to begin in September.  Contact ArlingtonCERT@aol.com for additional information.

Please pass the word about this opportunity to anyone who you think may be interested, and think about enrolling in this training to make your home and family as well as the community safer.

Thank you also to the several TLH citizens who already are trained CERT members!

Dave Shepherd

President TLHCA 2009-2010