Community Emergency Response Teams - CERT

CERT

CERT addresses Life Safety and Search/Rescue operations. CERT fosters a high-performance neighborhood team which supports Damage Assessments, Search and Rescue, Basic First Aid, and Communications to command/control.  The systems based approach is comprised of building blocks of community awareness of threats, as well as neighborhood and community volunteerism. Our awareness effort improves the readiness of our citizens to be self-reliant for 30 days, lowers the demand for services in an actual disaster, and forms the basis for individuals to volunteer and serve in a neighborhood capacity in programs such as Map Your Neighborhood (MYN), CERT, Volunteers in Police Service (VIPS), Amateur Radio Emergency Services (ARES) or Red Cross/Shelters. 

CERT

Sequim Police Department encourages community involvement in the CERT program.  Training is available through Clallam County Fire District No. 3.  For additional information, please visit their website: CCFD3 CERT.

PREPAREDNESS

Preparedness lowers the immediate demand of services and materials stemming from a disaster; ensures and develops plans and resources for vulnerable/fragile population; and enhances individual awareness and preparation for long term survivability. 

RESPONSE

Response is a series of steps necessary to re-establish community normalcy. The elements of response change with time after the event occurs. In the first week after an event, there are generally five elements: 

  1. Command and Control
  2. Communications and Assessment
  3. Life Safety (Medical Care, Search and Rescue)
  4. Lifelines (Transportation Corridors)
  5. Mass Care