Section 3- FAQs about CEMA and CERT.
Question #1. What is the difference between a "Reaction Team" and "Community Emergency Response Team"?
Answer #1.
A Reaction Team is the LOCAL element of CEMA.
- It is a small, no frills team of two (2) to three (3) Highly Trained and Dedicated CEMA Staff members who plug the holes in any emergency response. It's purely a local stop gap measure to hold the line, when local agencies are overwhelmed and/or while outside help is being mustered.
A Community Emergency Response Team is part of NATIONAL program. CERT Teams are manned by REGULAR CITIZENS trained to assist in times of need. Their goal is to help themselves and their neighbors survive until help arrives.
- Local government prepares for everyday emergencies. However, there are emergencies and disaster that can overwhelm the community’s immediate response capability. While adjacent jurisdictions, State and Federal resources can activate to help, there may be a delay for them getting to those who need help. The primary reason for CERT training is to give people the decision-making and physical skills to offer immediate assistance to family members, neighbors, and associates. While people will respond to others in need without the training, the goal of the CERT program is to help them do so effectively and efficiently without placing themselves in unnecessary danger.
- A success story about CERTs comes during the wildfires in Florida. The Edgewater CERT helped emergency management and the fire department by assisting with evacuations, handling donations, preparing food for firefighters, and answering the phone while the professionals were fighting the fire. It is a great example of CERT members and response personnel working together for the benefit of the community.
- CERT is about readiness, people helping people, rescuer safety, and doing the greatest good for the greatest number. CERT is a positive and realistic approach to emergency and disaster situations where citizens will be initially on their own and their actions can make a difference. Through training, citizens can manage utilities and put out small fires; treat the three killers by opening airways, controlling bleeding, and treating for shock; provide basic medical aid; search for and rescue victims safely; and organize themselves and spontaneous volunteers to be effective.
Question #2. Where can I find more information on CERT?
Answer #2.
Charlestown is very fortunate to have its own trained CERT Instructors. If you would like information on any of our upcoming classes,
Feel free to contact
- CERT Instructor Philip Gingerella at: pgingerella@charlestownpolice.org
- Independent Study Available
"Introduction to Community Emergency Response Teams", IS 317, is an independent study course that serves as an introduction to CERT for those wanting to complete training or as a refresher for current team members. It has six modules with topics that include an Introduction to CERT, Fire Safety, Hazardous Material and Terrorist Incidents, Disaster Medical Operations, and Search and Rescue. It takes between six and eight hours to complete the course. Those successfully finishing it will receive a certification of completion and .8 CEU’s from the Independent Study Office.
The IS 317 can be taken by anyone interested in CERT. However, to become a CERT volunteer, one must complete the classroom training offered by a local government agency.