The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) is a volunteer opportunity available through Citizens Corps and the Department of Homeland Security.

The CERT program is unique as it educates people in disaster preparedness and response. In the event of an emergency or disaster, the skills learned in class and training exercises will keep you safe, give you the means to help others and save lives until professional first responders arrive.

In Barrow County, the CERT program is extremely active holding two training classes per year and quarterly drills for team members where skills beyond the basic program are also taught. CERT participates in drills with other county emergency response agencies. The Team holds monthly leadership and membership meetings.

The CERT course consists of training in the following areas: light search and rescue, fire safety and suppression, medical operations, and disaster psychology to name a few.

CERT courses are taught by local emergency personnel and CERT instructors.

At the completion of the course, there is a simulated disaster drill which puts to use the new skills learned during the course.

CERT got its start in California in 1985. The Los Angeles Fire Department realized the importance of educating communities in disaster and emergency preparedness and formed the Disaster Preparedness Division. Their training made good sense and helped people realize their responsibility in preparing for disasters and in safely helping themselves and others. FEMA expanded the program and made it available to the public in 1993. Currently, there are almost 3,300 CERTs throughout the United States with 48 in Georgia.

CERT is a proud partner with Citizen Corps, "FEMA’s grassroots strategy to bring together government and community leaders to involve citizens in all-hazards emergency preparedness and resilience. Citizen Corps asks you to embrace the personal responsibility to be prepared; to get training in first aid and emergency skills, and to volunteer to support local emergency responders, disaster relief and community safety."

For this and more information on Citizen Corps visit www.citizencorps.gov.

The Barrow County CERT will be offering its next training course this August and invites the community to take the course. CERT training is free and open to everyone 18 years of age and older.

Within CERT, there are many functions, from administrative to field operations, so age and physical ability are not a concern.

Visit www.barrowcert.org to download an application or submit your questions.

Get CERTified!