A project developed by the Los Angeles Fire Department in 1985 to deal with mass casualties during earthquakes has turned into a tool in the defense of the homeland. CERT (Community Emergency Response Teams) training was held locally over two weekends during the month of March.
“The class is offered to municipal workers and leaders,” said CERT training team leader Cindy Whitby. “Once the municipalities get trained, classes will be offered to other members of the communities.”
Tyrone Borough Council Member Sharon Dannaway was one of the first CERT training class members.
“I got a lot out of the training,” said Dannaway. “I knew nothing about what to do medically in the event of an emergency. I didn’t know what to check for or how to check for bleeding. I never had that type of training. It was geared toward the lay person. The person who will help keep someone stable until the emergency responders arrive on the scene.”
The first week of class was a lot of classroom instruction and learning about fire suppression. In the second week it became more hands on.
“After the training, I feel that I could save a life if I was in that situation,” said Viola Dysart, Snyder Township Secretary. “It was an excellent training course. You learn how to do an emergency rescue and learn the procedures you go through to stabilize a patient. It is good training for everyone.”
Not only does the CERT training teach you the hands on first aid support, but it teaches you about your “to go” kit.
“That is something I had never thought of,” said Dannaway. “If you are a first responder, you have your hard hat, mask and gloves. You get your ‘to go’ kit ready at home in case you need to evacuate, including your insurance papers, any wills or medical documents you may have. You set a meeting point in case your family is separated. If you are out of town, you call home and let them know what time you left. Being prepared with your ‘to go’ kit is good common sense and doesn’t just help in an emergency.”
Dysart hopes that more people go through the training.
“I hope others in the township get involved in the CERT training,” said Dysart. “It is very important that people become aware of what is happening around them and how to respond in the event of a disaster.”
The CERT training is funded by a grant by the Department of Homeland Security and according to Whitby, more funding is on the way for more training.
“This first class and the next group of classes will help spread the word,” said Dannaway. “Hopefully we will have teams throughout the community and we will get together to update the training once every three months or so. I believe after the municipal workers and leaders, the next group to go through the training will be leaders from the hospitals and school districts.”
One thing that Dannaway learned through the course was about chemicals.
“What I found out about the chemicals impressed me,” said Dannaway. “If there was a chemical attack, I would have headed to my basement. I learned that they chemicals weigh more than the air and it is more beneficial to go to the second floor. I would have never known that if I had not participated in this class.”
In a time of crisis, there are many things that go into saving a life. Do you know how to treat for shock? Do you know how to check for an airway? Do you know how to stop bleeding? If you are a CERT team member, you would know the answer to those questions.
The instructors tell you in the CERT training classes that the easiest thing to do is to be a good neighbor. If the lights go out, check on your neighbors to make sure they are okay. Being a good neighbor will save many lives in the event of an actual emergency.
