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Headlines CERT Hosts Boy Scout Emergency Preparedness Workshop
On Saturday, November 22nd, the Chatham County Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) hosted an emergency preparedness workshop for Scout Troop 876 at Southside Fire Department Station 4 on Wilmington Island.
The workshop focused on emergency preparedness within the home, family evacuation planning, disaster supply kits, basic search and rescue skills and disaster medical operations. At the end of the training, Scouts were taken through a brief disaster simulation to test their knowledge of the coursework.
“It is essential that all community members understand what they need to do during an emergency. The Chatham County CERT Volunteers have been essential in supporting emergency responders during critical incidences, as well as training their fellow community members in disaster preparedness and response,” stated Dennis Jones, Assistant Director of CEMA.
All CERT Volunteers have taken a 20-hour disaster preparedness and response course taught by local first responders in the community. Graduates continue their skills training through courses offered by the American Red Cross, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and CEMA.
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, team organization, and disaster medical operations. Using the training learned in the classroom and during exercises, CERT members can assist others in their neighborhood or workplace following an event when professional responders are not immediately available to help. CERT members also are encouraged to support emergency response agencies by taking a more active role in emergency preparedness projects in their community.
To learn more about the Chatham County CERT program, please visit the CERT website.
