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We are all aware that there have been many cuts to the emergency services and local authorites, and this has reduced the ability for those organisations to react as they once did during emergency and\/or disaster situations. There are times when a community will suffer some kind of major emergency or disaster situation. If that situation is isolated, the emergency services will deal with that situation with little or no assistance from the community, but if it\u2019s part of a greater situation that affects other areas, such as the floods during the early 2000\u2019s when large areas were affected, the emergence services can be stretched to the point where they are unable to respond and so communities are left to look after themselves for a period of time until the emergency services can be released to assist.<\/p>\n
It is becoming so important that communities have the ability to look after themselves for that period of time when they are on their own, it is with this in mind that the CERT programme has been created.<\/p>\n
CERT volunteers undergo a 9 hour training programme, after which you will be part of a CERT Team where, if required you will be called upon to support your community until the emergency services arrive. Some of the situations that may require call out could be flood, major storms, snow etc.<\/p>\n
More info<\/strong><\/p>\n Our guide<\/a> explains much more about the background to why Blue Lights Brigade has established the CERT initiative then talks through how CERT teams operate and how the training is structured. (download the guide here<\/a>).<\/p>\n In summary \u2013 around 10 to 12 volunteers form an area based Community Emergency Resilience Team to help out, should the need arise, in times of a emergency.\u00a0 At point of mobilisation, the team will be directed by the operating emergency services to deploy in an appropriate and useful manner in order to help the community and also relieve pressure on official resources.\u00a0 The volunteers themselves will go through a formal training programme (9 x one hour sessions, which include tests and a mock exercise) after which they are certified as CERT members.\u00a0 Of course we always hope that the emergency and the mobilisation never happens, but in quieter times we\u2019ll keep your skills refreshed and hope each volunteer will get active volunteering in other ways within their communities, always ready to jump into action as a CERT member when needed.<\/p>\n
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