HOSA CERT Skills Notes

CERT Basic Training Overview

• CERT: Community Emergency Response Team program educating communities on disaster preparedness.

• Topics include team organization, medical operations, fire safety, light search and rescue.

History of the CERT Program

• Developed by the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) in the 1980s after evaluating volunteer efforts during disasters.

• Aimed to prepare civilians for early disaster response, freeing professionals for critical tasks.

• Became nationally recognized, with FEMA expanding its reach in 1994.

Community Preparedness Model

• Engages all community members in enhancing resilience.

• Pre-event planning in neighborhoods reduces injury and damage during disasters.

• Studies show organized efforts yield better outcomes in disaster scenarios.

Damage Assessment and Initial Response

• Disasters restrict resources, cutting off support.

• Communities should prepare for self-reliance in food, water, and shelter initially post-disaster.

• CERT volunteers assess situations, prioritize needs, and distribute resources.

CERT Operations Structure

• Organized and trained volunteers establish contact with emergency services for efficient communication and damage assessment.

• CERTs function as the first response, focusing on life-saving actions and reporting back to professional responders.

Participants and Training Objectives

• Objectives include preparing families, understanding CERT organization, assessing medical situations, and addressing psychological needs.

• Emphasis on reducing hazards and maintaining emotional well-being in disaster situations.

Course Structure

Unit 1: Disaster Preparedness

• Community roles in preparedness, home and workplace strategies, hazards, and mitigation efforts.

Unit 2: CERT Organization

• Understanding team organization and mobilization, followed by documentation tasks.

Unit 3: Disaster Medical Operations – Part 1 and 2

• Focus on basic first aid, controlling bleeding methods, shelter stabilization, and patient assessments.

Unit 4: Disaster Psychology

• Awareness of emotional impacts on volunteers and survivors, stress management, and support techniques.

Unit 5: Fire Safety and Utility Controls

• Identifying fire hazards, understanding fire chemistry, and safety procedures in suppression and utility control.

Unit 6: Light Search and Rescue

• Techniques for effective search operations, using a systematic approach to ensure coverage and safety.

Unit 7: Terrorism

• Defining terrorism, recognizing signs, and knowing how to respond to such incidents as CERT volunteers.

Unit 8: Final Evaluation and Disaster Simulation

• Participants engage in practical exercises applying knowledge and skills learned throughout training.