Emergency Preparedness

Emergency Response

The "First Responders" to a local emergency are typically friends, neighbors and willing strangers. Members and supporters of the Bayside Grange have shown interest in forming a CERT ( Community Emergency Response Team). 

The goals and functions of such a team will be part of the group decision-making process.  At this early juncture, we are asking folks if they wish to be included in those discussions while adding their names to a list that could become a useful resource database in the future.

If you become a Registered User on this website, then you will be able to sign up online.  Log in at the bottom of the Home Page and then go to Sign up Now

The following description of what a CERT is  also available on the internet. 

CERT Roles

CERTs Can Augment Emergency Management and Response Capability Within Their Community

Following a major disaster, first responders who provide fire and medical services will not be able to meet the demand for these services. Click on these links to learn more about the role of CERTs:

CERT Training: Preparing for Emergency Response

Using the basic CERT curriculum, CERT personnel train to prepare for a disaster or overwhelming event by:

• Identifying and mitigating potential hazards in the home and workplace.
• Initiating plans to prepare themselves and their loved ones for the hazards that they face.
• Learning skills to help themselves, loved ones, and neighbors or fellow employees until professional response resources arrive.
• Working cooperatively as a team within their neighborhoods or workplaces.
• Maintaining a relationship with the agency that sponsors the CERT program.
• Participating in continuing education and training.
• Volunteering for projects to enhance the public safety of their communities.
• Understanding their capabilities and limitations when deployed.

During training, CERTs learn to:

• Prepare for the hazards that threaten their communities.
• Apply size-up and safety principles.
• Locate and turn off utilities.
• Extinguish small fires.
• Identify hazardous materials situations.
• Triage and treat victims.
• Set up a medical treatment area.
• Conduct searches and rescues in lightly and moderately damaged structures.
• Understand the psychological impact of a disaster on themselves and others.
• Organize CERT members and spontaneous volunteers for an effective and safe response.
• Apply response skills in a disaster simulation.

Following initial training, the sponsoring agency has the challenge of helping CERT members maintain and improve their skills through a variety of training programs, exercises, and special projects, all tailored at the local level to meet local needs.

CERT Roles During Emergencies

When a disaster or overwhelming event occurs and responders are not immediately available, CERTs can assist by:

• Conducting an initial size-up in their homes or workplaces.
• Reducing immediate dangers by turning off utilities, suppressing small fires, evacuating the area, and helping others.
• Treating people in the immediate area.
• Working with CERT members and volunteers to establish a command post, staging area, and medical triage and treatment areas.
• Collecting damage information and developing a plan of operation based on life-saving priorities and available resources.
• Applying their training to situations where CERT members can make a difference.
• Establishing and maintaining communication with responders.