After a major disaster, first responders and other government service providers are overwhelmed. Public services cannot be delivered everywhere that help is needed. Experience has shown that in a disaster setting ordinary citizens make over 80 percent of successful rescues as they respond to the emergency in their local neighborhoods and community. However, many untrained volunteer rescuers may actually cause harm or become injured in the process.

A Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) is a ready force of organized and trained volunteer disaster workers that operates at the neighborhood level. They are prepared to be self-sustaining for a minimum of three days following a large disaster. Follow this link to see a course outline for CERT.

When disaster strikes, CERT volunteers spring into action.  They are trained to:

• Check on neighbors,
• Suppress small fires,
• Conduct light urban search and rescue, and
• Provide emergency medical aid and psychological comfort to their neighbors.

In the post-disaster environment, CERT members organize and direct spontaneous volunteers who offer to assist in the community during the crisis. CERT members may also be called upon to help in other areas during emergencies when their own neighborhood may not be impacted.

For further information on how you, your business, church or community group can become a part of the Benton/Franklin CERT, please contact Dulcie Lamb by e-mail or phone at (509) 628-2600.  You can also download a copy of the membership application for the Benton/Franklin CERT.