Multi-Agency CERT Disaster Drill... CliffsNotes Style

Greetings and salutations! Thanks to Reserve Lt. Alex Lopez, we have a wonderful 6:46 version of a very exciting day for CERT students and active CR members alike. This successful disaster drill and CERT graduation was made possible by the mutual efforts of DeKalb's Fire Rescue, Police Department, SWAT Team, Bomb Squad, Roads and Drainage Department, and Medical Examiner's Office, as well as Decatur Fire.

In a simulated small town tornado CERT students came upon over 75 wounded patients meticulously staged all over the Fire Academy. As the scene unfolded they were to set up an Incident Command center, do a full scene size up, and deploy their teams to suppress small fires, perform search and rescue operations, and triage and treat all patients. When public safety responded roughly 45 minutes later, they were able to integrate and utilize the tremendous resource CERT offers in continuing the rescue efforts.

A hostage situation was soon reported and bombs were detonated. It was an exciting day for all involved, not just the students completing the final step of their nine-week class.

DeKalb is very proud of its residents who are stepping up to answer the call.

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DeKalb CERT Team - Are We Prepared?

Image via Wikipedia

We certainly got closer tonight, as five members of the Citizen Reserve met to refresh their CERT skills in preparation for the Regional CERT Challenge Competition this Saturday in Henry County. What an exciting opportunity for Reserve officers Elliott Fried, Hayne Palmer, Alex Lopez, Heather Roth, and Debi Taylor to represent DeKalb, network with other county CERT teams, and experience some good, clean sportsmanship in the process.

The CERT Challenge, happening on Saturday, April 4, is sponsored by the Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA) and will start at 11:30 a.m.

The CERT program is a partnership between emergency management, response agencies, and citizen volunteers, training individuals to make the community safer and better prepared for natural and/or man-made disasters. Through the program, citizens are trained in basic emergency response skills. In the event of large-scale emergencies, CERT members provide critical support to first responders by assisting victims and organizing volunteers at
disaster sites.

During the competition, teams from eight counties will compete in such events as Fire Suppression, Disaster Medical Operations, Disaster Psychology and Triage, and Search and Rescue.

For more information on how you can attend DeKalb County's FREE CERT training course, visit www.CitizenReserve.org.