"About Citizens Corp, we all have a role in hometown security.  Citizens Corp asks you to embraced the personal responsibility to be prepared; get training in first aid and emergency skills; and to volunteer to support local emergency responders, disaster relief, and community safety."

The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program educates people about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, 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.

The CERT program is a specialized federal program where you may become the first responder for your family and neighborhood in disaster in that you are trained to deal with some first aid, utility situations, some search and rescue, and are the person to assess and communicate what sort of assistance is needed.  This is a good course for a church ERT or disaster team.

Generally county CERT programs are divided into several levels.  One level is for the volunteer that just wants the course for his/her family and neighborhood.  The second level realizes that without reinforcement training their newly developed skills may be eventually lost so there is a need for ongoing training and they want this.  The third level is those that want even more specialized training in order to protect their family and community. 

REQUIRED BY INDIVIDUAL

140 CE 200 CERT (IS-317) It has six modules with topics that include an Introduction to CERT, Fire Safety, Hazardous Material and Terrorist Incidents, Disaster Medical Operations, and Search and Rescue.  This course may offered by the local county EMA and is the preferred way of taking the course as a backpack with supplies, clothing, etc. is provided at the end of the course.  [20 hr classroom course and may have an exercise w/test certificate or online self study]

OPTIONAL IN THE STATE OF GEORGIA

141 CE 201 Power Company Do's and Don'ts  The local power company is contacted about providing a course on what to do or not do in disaster emergencies. [2 hr classroom course]

142 GEMA Infection Control  A Street Sense Approach: A six-hour course designed to give the first response personnel information concerning the federal standards enacted to protect both the employee and employer from the risks associated with on-the-job exposure to blood borne/airborne pathogens and other body fluids. This course teaches the public safety worker how to identify risks, why they are at risk, measures for preventing exposures, what to do if they are exposed, and how to clean, disinfect, and dispose of contaminated materials. This is taught by a GEMA instructor and is arranged by the local Emergency Management Agency manager.   [8 hr classroom course w/test, student manual, certificate]

143 GEMA Awareness for Initial Response to Hazardous Materials Incidents: An eight-hour course designed to provide all first responders with the OSHA Level I awareness training for hazardous materials. Participants are introduced to the problems associated with responding to or discovering hazardous materials incidents. Skills taught include recognizing, identification, emergency planning, and resource identification.   This is taught by a GEMA instructor and is arranged by the local Emergency Management Agency manager.   [8 hr classroom course w/test, student manual, certificate]

144 GEMA Rescue Specialist A 14-hour course designed to train rescue personnel in the basics of rescue techniques. The course covers unit organization, search and rescue techniques (ground and water), map and compass reading, and basic rope tying and knots.  This is taught by a GEMA instructor and is arranged by the local Emergency Management Agency manager. (Prerequisite: 8-hour first aid course certificate and photo ID) [16 hr classroom course w/test, rope knots exercise, certificate]

145 GEMA Incident Command System/Emergency Operations Center Interface  A four-hour course designed to illustrate to directors of emergency management agencies, fire departments, emergency medical service agencies, law enforcement, and other emergency services the advantages and need for integrating incident command system (ICS) and emergency operations center (EOC) operations. Additionally, participants will review the major functions of the ICS and EOC, incidents where each operation is appropriate, and techniques for their smooth and effective functioning and integration.  This is taught by a GEMA instructor and is arranged by the local Emergency Management Agency manager.   [4 hr classroom course w/test, student manual, certificate]

146 NDLS Core Disaster Life support (CDLS)  This is a 4.5-hour classroom course. There are additional medical oriented course that require a minimum knowledge of that of an EMT (i.e. BDLS and ADLS).  [4.5 hr classroom course w/test, student manual, certificate]

147 NDLS MCI - Mass Contamination Incident This is a class and lab exercise which provides information and methods on the proper cleanup of those contaminated.  [8 hr classroom course w/test, certificate]