For nearly 15 years, CERT training has been a vital part of building a community-wide network of volunteers with the knowledge and experience necessary for quick, in-the-field emergency management response. Coordinator Vicky Connor said participants learn how to take care of themselves and their neighbors before first responders arrive on the scene.
In the event of a disaster situation, Connor said, dispatch is often overwhelmed by calls, and a limited number of police and firefighters slows the overall response time. For non-lifethreatening scenarios, CERT volunteers can ensure the safety and security of their local area.
"What we teach the residents is how to take care of themselves and their neighbors until the professional help can arrive," Connor said. "It involves things like basic search and rescue, fire suppression and first-aid."
Daviess County was the first in the region to offer comprehensive CERT classes for free, and it's a concept that's grown popular around western Kentucky. Proper emergency response entails a community-wide effort, she said, and county leaders have been cognizant of that since 9/11 when disaster preparedness came to the forefront of many American's minds.
Since then, the information she and experts teach over the eight-week course has proven to be life-saving. Connor asks participants to reach out to her when they use the skills they learned, and the response, she said, has been phenomenal.
"People have come across wrecks before and they've assisted injured motorists," she said. "They've saved lives."
While CERT training doesn't certify participants as emergency response professionals, they do get exposure to basic first-aid skills with proven results. Plus, end-of-course certificates can be used for reference in job applications and more. Completion of the course also qualifies participants for emergency backpacks with safety and medical supplies worth $60.
Training sessions begin at 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 21, and run at the same time for eight consecutive Thursdays in the Daviess County Courthouse basement. Most classes will end at about 9 p.m. Areas covered will include disaster preparedness, utility shut-off, basic fire suppression, basic first-aid, search and rescue, terrorism awareness, disaster psychology, team organization and a final drill exercising all skills learned. All classes are taught by professionals in emergency services and other agencies active in emergency preparedness.
For more information or to sign up, call the county EMA office at 270-685-8448.
Austin Ramsey, 270-691-7302, aramsey@messenger-inquirer.com, Twitter: @austinrramsey
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