The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program educates people about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their area. CERT trains city residents in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, Special Events, assist Law Enforcement, Fire, Emergency Services and disaster medical operations. Using the training learned in the classroom and during exercises, CERT members can assist others in their neighborhood or workplace 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.

People who go through CERT training have a better understanding of the potential threats to their home and community and can take the right steps to lessen the effects of these hazards on themselves or their workplace. If a disaster happens that overwhelms local response capability, CERT members can apply the training learned in the classroom and during exercises to give critical support to their family, loved ones or associates in their immediate area until help arrives. When help does arrive, CERTs provide useful information to responders and support their efforts, as directed, at the disaster site. CERT members can also assist with non-emergency projects that improve the safety of the community.

Local government prepares for everyday emergencies. However, there can be an emergency or disaster that can overwhelm the community's immediate response capability. While adjacent jurisdictions, state and federal resources can activate to help, there may be a delay for them getting to those who need them. The primary reason for CERT training is to give people the decision-making, organizational, and practical skills to offer immediate assistance to family members, neighbors and associates while waiting for help. While people will respond to others in need without the training, the goal of the CERT program is to help people do so effectively and efficiently without placing themselves in unnecessary danger.

The course will include:

• Emergency Preparedness – This course will teach you how to prepare yourself, your family, and your neighborhood for natural and man-made disasters. Information on making an emergency plan and disaster supply kit will be provided.
• Fire Safety – In this course, a fire safety professional teaches you basic lessons in fire chemistry, hazardous materials and fire suppression. You’ll practice using a fire extinguisher.
• Emergency Medical Operations I & II – In these two courses, emergency service providers will teach you how to use basic first aid to treat life threatening conditions. You’ll learn triage basics and how to treat airway obstructions, bleeding, and burns.
• Light Search and Rescue – This course will teach you how to lead safe search and rescue missions. You’ll learn how to search for and remove victims from a disaster scene.
• Team Organization – In this course, you will learn how to maintain your CERT and document your team’s neighborhood response activities.
• Disaster Psychology – This course overviews the mental impact of disaster on rescuers and victims. You will learn how to provide "psychological first-aid" to support team members and victims without over stressing yourself.
• Personal Safety and Property Protection – This course will teach you how to identify and handle personal safety threats when responding to a disaster. It will also provide tips for staying safe and healthy during recovery.
• Course Review / Disaster Drill – The final part of CERT training is a full review of material taught throughout training and a disaster response exercise.

The CERT Class is held at the Public Safety Complex Conference Room 1017 Sparta Pike, Lebanon, TN 37087If interested in attending or setting up a class for your group, business, or church, please contact:
William Glover @ 615-499-1561
Email: gloverw@lebanontn.org

CERT Application

Lebanon Wilson County Emergency Coordination Center (ECC)

• Provide Real Time Actionable Intelligence during "All Hazards"
• Pre-Event briefings to provide intel on protection of assets.
• Serve as Coordination Center During Large Events, fusing several agencies intel to provide clear and live intel products
• Critical Infrastructure Protection ONLY, We do NOT Provide public bulletins through the E.C.C