West Valley CERT

The Spring 2011 class has been confirmed. We will be starting Thursday April 7. The exact location of the class hasn't been set, but it will be in the area of Winder Dairy. Please register for the class by clicking the link above. Check back here and our Facebook page for updates on the location of the class.

This unit is the culmination of all that you have learned throughout the course. After a brief review of the key points of the course, you will have the opportunity to use your skills and knowledge of CERT organization and operations in a simulated disaster exercise.

Activities will include:

• Setup a medical triage area
• Fire extinguisher hands-on review
• Cribbing exercise
• Building search
• Victim assessment and recovery

Introduction and Unit Overview

In previous units, you learned specific strategies and tasks to use in specific situations. In this unit, you will use that knowledge in a team environment, using the CERT organization as a foundation.

Objectives

At the end of this unit, you should be able to:

• Describe the CERT organization.
• Identify how CERTs interrelate with ICS.
• Explain CERT documentation requirements.

Introduction and Unit Overview -- Disaster Psychology

CERT members should prepare themselves for their role during and following a disaster by learning about the possible impact of disaster on them and others, emotionally and physically. This knowledge will help CERT members understand and manage their reactions to the event and to work better with others.

This unit will address techniques for managing one’s personal situation so that the needs of the victims and those of CERT team members can be met.

At the end of this unit, you should be able to:

Introduction and Unit Overview

Search and rescue consists of three separate operations:

• Sizeup involves assessing the situation and determining a safe action plan.
• Search involves locating victims and documenting their location.
• Rescue involves the procedures and methods required to extricate the victims.

Introduction and Unit Overview -- Disaster Medical Operations I

The need for disaster medical operations is based on two assumptions:

• The number of victims will exceed the local capacity for treatment.
• Survivors will assist others. They will do whatever they know how to do. They need to know lifesaving or post-disaster survival techniques.

There are three phases of death from trauma:

• Phase 1: Death within minutes as a result of overwhelming and irreversible damage to vital organs

In this unit you will learn about:

• Fire Chemistry: How fire occurs, classes of fire, and choosing the correct means to extinguish each type of fire.
• Fire Hazards: Potential fire hazards in the home and workplace, and fire prevention strategies.
• Fire Safety: How to evaluate fires, assess firefighting resources, and determine a course of action.
• Portable Fire Extinguishers: Types of portable fire extinguishers and how to operate them.

In this unit you will learn about:

• Disasters and Disaster Workers: What defines a disaster, what defines an disaster, and who makes up the response workforce.
• The Impact on the Infrastructure: The potential effect of extreme emergencies and disasters on transportation; electrical service; telephone communication; fuel; food, water, and shelter; and emergency services.
• Structural and Nonstructural Hazards: Potentially hazardous conditions in various types of structures and their contents during a disaster.

Why should I take this class?

Disasters happen when you least expect them. Being prepared is the key to overcoming them. This class will teach you about different kinds of disasters, and how the response differs in each situation. By knowing this and the other information that is covered in the course, you will be able to assist with the recovery and survival efforts in the case of a disaster of any scale.

Can I take the class even if I'm not interested in being on an organized CERT team?

Please fill out the form below to register for the next training class. More information about the training class can be found on the training page.