Intro

This blog will talk about different aspects of CERT (Community Emergency Response Team).  I will cover ideas such as:

•  Items to may want add to your TO GO bag
• Training Ideas
• New Classes that would benefit CERT members
• Any Applications for phones/tablets that might help a CERT TEAM
• Any Sources of Information/ knowledge I am aware of. This could consist of: Other blogs, Websites, Articles, books, podcasts ext.

In this post I will tell you a bit about myself as far as how I got involved with CERT.

In August of 2006 I was attending college and working at the college as a staff member. I volunteered for the Emergency Response Team at the college. From 2006-2008 I volunteered with the colleges team. At that point he main responsibilities were: Making sure students, staff, professors were informed of what safety protocol needed to be followed for both Fire, and Tornado's (later included shelter in place for active shooters). During drills we would look for people not following rules/guidelines. During real scenarios (Fire, Tornado's) we we grab our to go bags. That consisted of: a safety vest, flashlight, extra batteries, 2 pairs of latex gloves, a box cutter, and bull horn. Some of us were issued a walkie talkie that allowed two way communication between us and our team coordinator on the Campus Police. In September of 2008 we learned the city was offering the Citizen Corps Community Emergency Response Team basic training (317). I was one of the 3 members who signed up and attended. I finished my training on November 7, 2008 with a live drill conducted at one of the sister colleges.

Since that time I have taken additional training including: ICS 100, ICS 200, Introduction to Hazmat, CPR and AED, Skywarn basic and advanced (both east coast and midwest), I also earned my Amateur Radio License (technician) in September 2010. I have attended several advanced trainings or exercises. That taught many topics: Handling Public Relations in a Disaster, United States National Grid for Search and Rescue, Communications protocols.


The job I worked at the college often times had me work one on one with students as a tutor. That being said. I had the opportunity to work with physically, mentally, and learning disabled individuals. This taught me many important things that I carry over to CERT work. You may walk into an event that is unfamiliar or puts a barrier up. That could potentially cause a issue if allowed to get out of control. In high school, one of my electives I chose was psychology, I have take 12 college credit in psychology at this point.

My interest have varied over the years. My knowledge that I have gathered rather from being a "daddy's girl" helping fix/build things, or knowledge gained from a class or organization I have belonged to. I can take those lessons and knowledge and use them to benefit me in CERT trainings, and when I am out helping those in need.