Sign up for Emergency Response Training Now at KSU

SALEM -- The Student Government Organization (SGO) and the Columbiana County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) team up this spring to train people to be smart first-responders to emergencies.

KSU will host a Community Emergency Response Training (CERT) session this February 7 and 8 that will last approximately six hours in the Lecture Hall. This program is free and open to the public. CCEMA Deputy Director Tim Long will lead the event and introduce speakers. Food and drink will be served.

Contact Brad Heckathorn to sign up at bheckath@kent.edu .

The CERT web page provided the following information:

What is CERT?

The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program educates people about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations. Using the training learned in the classroom and during exercises, CERT members can assist others in their neighborhood or workplace following an event when professional responders are not immediately available to help. CERT members also are encouraged to support emergency response agencies by taking a more active role in emergency preparedness projects in their community.

The Community Emergency Response Team concept was developed and implemented by the Los Angeles City Fire Department (LAFD) in 1985. The Whittier Narrows earthquake in 1987 underscored the area-wide threat of a major disaster in California. Further, it confirmed the need for training civilians to meet their immediate needs. As a result, the LAFD created the Disaster Preparedness Division with the purpose of training citizens and private and government employees.

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.