RBOEM seeks Citizen Volunteers
The Red Bank Office of Emergency Management (RBOEM) is seeking volunteers to participate in a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). CERT training promotes a partnering effort between emergency services and the people that they serve. The goal is for emergency personnel to train members of neighborhoods, community organizations, or workplaces in basic response skills. CERT members are then integrated into the emergency response capability for their area.
If a disastrous event overwhelms or delays the community's professional response, CERT members can assist others by applying the basic response and organization skills that they learned during training. These skills can help save and sustain lives following a disaster until help arrives. CERT skills also apply to daily emergencies.
CERT members maintain and refine their skills by participating in exercises and activities. They can attend supplemental training opportunities offered by the sponsoring agency and others that further their skills base. Finally, CERT members can volunteer for projects that improve community emergency preparedness.
CERT Training will teach participants to:
1. Describe the types of hazards most likely to affect their homes and communities.
2. Describe the function of CERT and their roles in immediate response.
3. Take steps to prepare themselves for a disaster.
4. Identify and reduce potential fire hazards in their homes and workplaces.
5. Work as a team to apply basic fire suppression strategies, resources and safety measures to extinguish a burning liquid.
6. Apply techniques for opening airways, controlling bleeding and treating shock.
7. Conduct triage under simulated conditions.
8. Perform head-to-toe assessments.
9. Select and set up a treatment area.
10. Employ basic treatments for various wounds.
11. Identify planning and size-up requirements for potential search and rescue situations.
12. Describe the most common techniques for searching a structure.
13. Use safe techniques for debris removal and victim extrication.
14. Describe ways to protect rescuers during search and rescue.
Anyone interested should contact RBOEM Coordinator Tommy Welsh at 732-530-2777 x-496 or at twelsh@redbanknj.org. Classes are offered at no charge to CERT volunteers. The following is a list of classes that will begin shortly. All classes begin at 7pm and will be held at Tinton Falls EMS South 1 Volunteer Way (off Asbury Avenue) unless otherwise noted.
Thursday 9/27 Disaster Preparedness
Thursday 10/4 Disaster Psychology: Terrorism and CERT
Thursday 10/11 Disaster Medical Operation, Part 1 & 2
Thursday 10/18 CPR &AED
Thursday 10/25 Light Search & Rescue Operations
Thursday 11/1 CERT Organization & ICS 100
Thursday 11/8 Fire Safety & Utility Control (Eatontown Firehouse)
Saturday 11/10 Final Practical Exam (location to be determined)
Current CERT members will be participating in the annual Fire Department Expo which will be held on Sunday, October 7 (rain date October 14) from 11 am to 3 pm in the White Street Parking Lot.
