community emergency response team (CERT)

“The mission of the Truckee Fire Protection District Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) is to build a more resilient community through outreach and education in disaster preparedness & prevention”

What is a CERT Team?

The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program educates citizens about disaster preparedness for hazards that could impact our area, and trains them in basic disaster response skills. These skills include fire safety, light search and rescue, team organizations, and disaster medical operations. Using this training, CERT members can assist others in their neighborhoods or workplaces following incidents when professional responders are not immediately available to help. CERT members are also encouraged to support emergency response agencies by taking a more active role in emergency preparedness projects in the community.

CERT Basic Training

New members are required to attend a free, 24-hour, CERT Basic Training Academy. Students will learn the skills and tools necessary to take care of themselves, their family, neighbors, and coworkers in the event of a disaster.

CERT Members can assist by:

• Conducting an initial size-up in their homes or workplaces.

• Reducing immediate dangers by turning off utilities, suppressing small fires, helping others, and evacuating the area.

• Treating people in the immediate area.

• Working with CERT members and volunteers to establish a command post, staging area, and medical triage and treatment areas.

• Collecting damage information and developing a plan of operation based on life-saving priorities and available resources.

• Establishing communications with first responders.

CERT Members do not:

• Enter structures that they consider heavily damaged and dangerous (e.g. leaning or moved from foundation).

• Suppress large fires.

• Perform hazardous materials cleanup or respond to incidents involving radiological, chemical, or biological agents.

• Perform medical, fire, or search and rescue operations beyond their level of training.

• Activate or deploy unless called for in their procedures .

For more information, contact cert@truckeefire.org