Community Emergency Response Team
The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program is a nationally supported, locally implemented initiative that teaches people how to better prepare themselves for hazards that may affect their communities. CERT trains them in basic disaster response skills such as team organization, disaster medical operations, fire safety, and light search and rescue.
Local CERT programs train and organize teams of volunteers to assist their families, neighbors, co-workers, and other community members during emergencies when professional responders may not be immediately available to provide assistance.
Before, during, and after disasters, CERT volunteer teams perform basic response activities including checking in on neighbors, distributing information to the public, supporting emergency operation centers, and helping to manage traffic and crowds. The ability for CERT volunteers to perform these activities frees up professional responders to focus their efforts on more complex, essential, and critical tasks. CERT volunteers also support their communities by organizing, promoting, and participating in emergency events, activities, and projects.
With training and information, individuals and community groups can be prepared to serve as crucial resources capable of performing many of the emergency functions needed in the immediate post-disaster period.
Some examples of training provided include:
- online classes
- talks by emergency professionals
- and actual field exercises.
Over the summer, CERT volunteers participated along with the CORA Food Pantry in the Farmers to Family program to deliver food to families. CERT provided the manpower to load boxes onto charity vehicles.
In October 2020, CERT volunteers assisted in a Helicopter Aquatic Rescue training event at Jordan Lake. CERT volunteers also worked with the Chatham County Public Health Director to provide traffic control personnel for the Employee Drive-Thru Flu Clinic. This exercise served as a precursor for the possible distribution of a COVID-19 vaccine when made available.
At one time, Fearrington Village had our own CERT program; however, because of statewide CERT budget reallocation, the program was transferred to county control. If you are interested in joining or learning more about the CERT program, contact info@ChathamCERT.org or Fearrington resident Steve Krasnow at kkras4@verizon.net.
