CERT Classes Are FREE!
The CERT training consists of 20 hours of instruction. Classes are taught by first responders including firefighters and emergency medical and law enforcement personnel from the communities of Amherst, Lyndeborough, Milford, and Mont Vernon.
The CERT Basic Training Consists of 9 Instructional Units:
Unit 1: Disaster Preparedness - Intro to disasters specific to the community, and the impact of disaster on infrastructure.
Unit 2: Fire Safety and Utility Controls - Identifying and reducing potential fire hazards and basic fire suppression.
Unit 3: Disaster Medical Operations I -Treatment strategies for life-threatening conditions and principles of triage.
Unit 4: Disaster Medical Operations II - Head-to-toe patient assessment and treatment for various injuries.
Unit 5: Light Search an Rescue Operations - Techniques for sizing up and searching, lifting, cribbing, and removing victims; rescue safety.
Unit 6: CERT Organization - CERT organization, decision-making, and documentation.
Unit 7: Disaster Psychology - The post-disaster emotional environment will be discussed.
Unit 8: Terrorism and Active Shooter - A brief overview of terrorism weapons. Identifying targets in an area and discussing time/distance/shielding.
Unit 9: Final Exercise.
CERT Training Teaches Participants To:
Describe the types of hazards most likely to affect their homes and communities.
Describe the function of CERT and their roles in immediate response.
Take steps to prepare themselves for disaster.
Identify and reduce potential fire hazards in their homes and workplaces.
Work as a team to apply basic fire suppression strategies, resources and safety measures to extinguish a small fire.
Apply techniques for opening airways, controlling bleeding, and treating shock.
Conduct triage under simulated conditions.
Perform head-to-toe assessments.
Select and set up a treatment area.
Employ basic treatments for various wounds.
Identify planning and size-up requirements for potential search and rescue situations.
Describe the most common techniques for searching a structure.
Use safe techniques for debris removal and victim extraction.
Describe ways to protect rescuers during search and rescue.
Learn what to do in an active shooter situation.
CERT Trains You To Be Better Prepared For Disasters!
Are You Ready? CERT Can Help!
Gain Skills To Help Your Family, Neighbors, and Community!
Are You Ready? CERT Can Help!
Emergencies Happen Daily!
Are You Ready? CERT Can Help!
Additional CERT Training Is Always Available!
All CERT training is free and includes a variety of topics for you to pick and choose which one you are interested in participating in. Beyond disasters we train for everyday safety and community projects, some of which are shown below:
AED Projects - CPR and Stop The Bleed
Cyber Security Awareness Scams - Fraud
Map and Compass - Search and Rescue
Extreme Weather Sheltering - Generator Safety
Pet Sheltering - Pet Owner Preparedness and more …
We also have access to HAM radio operating courses and licensing. HAM radios are an excellent backup communication resource. Many of our current members are licensed HAM operators.
CERT members are exposed to many training opportunities. Some trainings are held during our monthly meetings while other courses are delivered online through the State, FEMA and Universities.