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Columbia CERT members at work.
The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) concept
was developed and implemented by the City of Los
Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) in 1985. They recognized
that citizens would very likely be on their own during
the early stages of a catastrophic disaster. Accordingly,
LAFD decided that some basic training in disaster
survival and rescue skills would improve the ability
of citizens to survive until responders or other
assistance could arrive. 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 immediate emergency
needs.
The training program that the LAFD initiated proved to be so beneficial that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) felt that the concept and the program should be made available to communities nationwide. In 1994, the Emergency Management Institute (EMI), in cooperation with the LAFD, expanded the CERT materials to make them applicable to all hazards.
In 2003, President Bush asked all Americans to volunteer in the service of their country. The Citizen Corps program was created to spearheaded this effort to harness the power of every individual through education, training, and volunteer service to make communities safer, stronger, and better prepared to respond to the threats of terrorism, crime, public health issues, and disasters of all kinds. CERT was selected as one of the primary programs offered to the American public to meet this challenge.
Periodically the Columbia Fire Department hosts CERT classes. These classes have been made possible through grant funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) through the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA). When classes have been scheduled, dates and times will be provided below.
The classes are held at the Columbia Fire Department Fire Training Academy located at 700 Big Bear Blvd behind the Humane Society.
All class room equipment will be provided.
Wear comfortable, older clothing and sturdy shoes or work boots as there are some practical class sessions.
Classes are limited to 25 people on a first come - first serve basis. You must register for the class. Register for a CERT class by calling 874-7556, M-F 8am to 5PM or by completing the online form.
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