Archived News Release: November 30, 2017 - The City of Ann Arbor Office of Emergency Management is accepting applications for the Ann Arbor Community Emergency Response Team training program. The application deadline is Monday, Dec. 18 at noon.
This training is required to become a CERT member. The training course is held 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays, Jan. 20, 27 and Feb. 3, 2018. Training will be at Washtenaw Community College in the Morris Lawrence building. Attendance at all three sessions is required for a certificate of completion.
The CERT program educates residents about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact Washtenaw County and trains participants in basic disaster response skills. Using the training learned in the classroom and during exercises, CERT members can assist neighbors or fellow employees following an event when professional responders are not immediately available to help. CERT members also are encouraged to support emergency response agencies by taking a more active role in emergency preparedness projects in their community.
The course is a combination of classroom sessions and hands-on training in scene assessment, fire safety, emergency medical response, team organization, disaster medical operations, and light search and rescue. The course also provides information on topics including local threats, hazards, city emergency management initiatives and incident command and terrorism.
In 1985, the Los Angeles Fire Department developed the CERT concept to arm citizens with vital training and information necessary to survive in the hours after a catastrophic disaster. The importance of citizen preparedness in the absence of emergency responders was never clearer than during the aftermath of September 11, 2001.
Citizens interested in participating in the Ann Arbor CERT course can find an application on the City of Ann Arbor website at www.a2gov.org/departments/police/Pages/Getting-Involved.aspx or call Police Service Specialist Susan Casey with the Ann Arbor Police Department at 734.794.6900 ext. 49526 or email at [email protected]. A background investigation will be conducted on all applicants, who will then be notified if accepted into the program.
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