Atascocita Observer - News
CERT prepares residents for future disasters
 |
| Carolyn McCarty checks the pulse on a "firefighter" and determines he is deceased as part of a tornado scenario concluding Humble's CERT training course. |
By STEFANIE THOMAS
They are teachers and accountants, construction workers and stay-at-home moms. They come from every walk of life and learn together, with the common goal of helping themselves and their neighbors.
Last week, another 18 local residents walked away from an eight-week Citizens Emergency Response Team training course empowered with the knowledge of basic skills needed to overcome disaster. The recent graduates joined a total of more than 100 people who have already volunteered to receive the same CERT training, provided by the city of Humble.
“In my opinion, the people in this training, spending their time each week for eight weeks, are truly heroes,” said Carole Chambers, CERT coordinator for the city of Humble. “You never know when you might need help and it is great to have a person who has the basic skills that we teach in this course.”
Humble Fire Marshal Clint Johnson said that participants are instructed on how to evaluate a situation, set up an incident command organization and arrange for teams to scour the area and assist first responders as needed.
“CERT students learn how to turn off electric and gas utilities, for example, minor first aid, how to triage victims and take them to a safe location,” Johnson said. “The course teaches self-sufficiency and how to assist neighbors during disaster, which takes a load off emergency services.”
In the aftermath of Hurricane Ike, Johnson said, CERT members were instrumental in keeping operations running as smoothly as they did.
“CERT members worked at the PODs, directed traffic, aided in clearing roadways in Kingwood, handled some logistics and much more,” he said. “When the fire department opened the POD at the Humble Civic Center with 10 firefighters, we had more than 6,000 cars come through before the day was out. That day, the firefighters were assisted by more than 100 CERT and CRTF members.”
Chambers said that the CERT course is divided into nine chapters, including hurricane preparedness, fire suppression, medical operations, light search and rescue, disaster psychology and terrorism. Each class concludes with a drill that allows students to apply the knowledge they learned.
The most recent CERT class faced the scenario of a middle-of-the-night major tornado that ripped through northern Harris County. Armed with emergency supplies and flashlights, CERT students swarmed the Humble Civic Center Arena looking for “victims,” providing first aid whenever possible and putting out small fires.
“I signed up for the class because I knew I needed information and knowledge in this area, and this was the best way to get it,” said Carolyn McCarty of the Humble Area Chamber of Commerce. “If we have a disaster, I’ll look at my family first and see if they need my help, and if they’re OK, I can help someone else.”
The skills she learned and the information she received through CERT training were very helpful, McCarty added, and she would highly recommend the course to all area residents.
“I feel more comfortable having this knowledge,” she said. “Ike went smoother than Rita because the Harris County judge and the mayor worked in advance to be prepared. The citizens should do the same.”
Chambers said area residents are encouraged to sign up for the next CERT class, scheduled to begin in February.
“My goal is to train as many [people] as I can,” Chambers said. “Government cannot do it alone.”
CERT training sign-up
WHEN: register now for the upcoming class, scheduled to begin Feb. 10
HOW MUCH: free
INFO: 281-446-4928; cchambers@humblepolice.com; cjohnson@humblepolice.com
Last week, another 18 local residents walked away from an eight-week Citizens Emergency Response Team training course empowered with the knowledge of basic skills needed to overcome disaster. The recent graduates joined a total of more than 100 people who have already volunteered to receive the same CERT training, provided by the city of Humble.
“In my opinion, the people in this training, spending their time each week for eight weeks, are truly heroes,” said Carole Chambers, CERT coordinator for the city of Humble. “You never know when you might need help and it is great to have a person who has the basic skills that we teach in this course.”
Humble Fire Marshal Clint Johnson said that participants are instructed on how to evaluate a situation, set up an incident command organization and arrange for teams to scour the area and assist first responders as needed.
“CERT students learn how to turn off electric and gas utilities, for example, minor first aid, how to triage victims and take them to a safe location,” Johnson said. “The course teaches self-sufficiency and how to assist neighbors during disaster, which takes a load off emergency services.”
In the aftermath of Hurricane Ike, Johnson said, CERT members were instrumental in keeping operations running as smoothly as they did.
“CERT members worked at the PODs, directed traffic, aided in clearing roadways in Kingwood, handled some logistics and much more,” he said. “When the fire department opened the POD at the Humble Civic Center with 10 firefighters, we had more than 6,000 cars come through before the day was out. That day, the firefighters were assisted by more than 100 CERT and CRTF members.”
Chambers said that the CERT course is divided into nine chapters, including hurricane preparedness, fire suppression, medical operations, light search and rescue, disaster psychology and terrorism. Each class concludes with a drill that allows students to apply the knowledge they learned.
The most recent CERT class faced the scenario of a middle-of-the-night major tornado that ripped through northern Harris County. Armed with emergency supplies and flashlights, CERT students swarmed the Humble Civic Center Arena looking for “victims,” providing first aid whenever possible and putting out small fires.
“I signed up for the class because I knew I needed information and knowledge in this area, and this was the best way to get it,” said Carolyn McCarty of the Humble Area Chamber of Commerce. “If we have a disaster, I’ll look at my family first and see if they need my help, and if they’re OK, I can help someone else.”
The skills she learned and the information she received through CERT training were very helpful, McCarty added, and she would highly recommend the course to all area residents.
“I feel more comfortable having this knowledge,” she said. “Ike went smoother than Rita because the Harris County judge and the mayor worked in advance to be prepared. The citizens should do the same.”
Chambers said area residents are encouraged to sign up for the next CERT class, scheduled to begin in February.
“My goal is to train as many [people] as I can,” Chambers said. “Government cannot do it alone.”
CERT training sign-up
WHEN: register now for the upcoming class, scheduled to begin Feb. 10
HOW MUCH: free
INFO: 281-446-4928; cchambers@humblepolice.com; cjohnson@humblepolice.com
Copyright © 2009 - Houston Community Newspapers Online