Destination Guides - Southpoint.com Blog

Ways to help your community be prepared for an emergency

Recently, I attended classes to be a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) volunteer. This program was created by the Los Angeles City Fire Department (LAFD) in 1985, and has expanded to communities nationwide. The purpose of CERT is to educate the local community about disaster preparedness that includes fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations.

With the training, CERT members are able to assist others in their neighborhood or at work after an emergency until fire, police, or emergency crews can respond with their expert assistance. In a full scale emergency, such as a tornado, hurricane, or flood, they will be called to areas that have the most damage, which is why volunteers are needed to be able to assist where they are until more help can arrive.
 
Fire Academy classes encompass getting suited up in a fire suit, retrofited with an oxygen tank, and going into a fire engulfed building to put out a fire.
Although not a part of what's expected as a CERT member, it provides an opportunity to find out what a fireman's job is all about.
 
Each of these suits cost $1,800, but are worth every penny.
 

 
After classroom instruction one night a week during an eight week period, a CERT Drill is held that simulates a real emergency where team members work together to get injured persons to safety.
Besides the knowledge learned, it is also a great way to meet local emergency personnel on the front lines and see the vital role they play in your community. I recommend the program highly.
Visit here to find out more about CERT in your area or to volunteer.

With the recent devastating Iowa floods if you are looking to donate or volunteer in some way, the best organization is the Salvation Army. Please visit www.salvationarmyusa.org or call 1-800-SAL-ARMY. Monetary donations are now needed to meet immediate needs. A $100 donation will feed a family of four for two days, provide two cases of drinking water and one household cleanup kit, containing brooms, mops, buckets and cleaning supplies.