Snap To It!

By: Greg St. James
       CERT Manager

The Montgomery County Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) conducted a snap drill of its “Go Team” late last week. 17 CERT members assembled from all over the county within 60 minutes of an alert to participate in a line search for a simulated missing child. The search successfully found the “child” after a 25 minute line search in difficult terrain and humid conditions.

Division Chief Alan Hinde was in command with CERT Program Manager Greg St, James. CERT volunteer Cynthia Halota ran the CERT volunteers as the CERT Duty Officer for the day. The CERT Go Team is being developed by the Division Of Volunteer Services and Community Outreach to be a ‘force expander’ for MCFRS and other public agencies.

In the photo below, Division Chief Hinde conducts a ‘hot wash’ with the CERT team after the drill in Rockville.

Are You Ready? Attend Storm Camp!

Storm Camp Flyer v8

Community Emergency Response Training (CERT) Program To Hold Basic Training Class

By: Greg St. James

CERT Program Manager

The next CERT class is scheduled to begin April 11, 2013. The class runs Thursday evenings and Sunday afternoons. April 11 through May 11 at:

Montgomery County Public Safety Headquarters

100 Edison Park Drive Gaithersburg, MD 20878

Please note that the final practical will be on Saturday May 11th to avoid Mother's Day.

The initial CERT Training equals 30 hours of instruction and hands on exercises. Each session is unique so please confirm the hours and your availability before committing to participate.

The topics currently covered within the 30 hours are: Disaster Preparedness, Damage Assessment, First Aid, CPR /AED, Triage, FRS Radio Use, Fire Safety / Fire Extinguisher Usage, Light Search and Rescue, Hazardous Materials Awareness, Incident Command System (NIMS), Pet Safety, Terrorism Awareness, and Mass Casualty Response. The final class is a practical hand’s on culmination of the training you’ve received.

All applicants are requested to make a good faith effort to attend every class; missed units must be made up before the Official FEMA Certificate of Completion is given.

Go here to Learn More About CERT Training

Please click here to complete this application and forward it to Registrar@montgomerycert.org  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Learn more at: Montgomery County CERT

Registration is Open For Spring 2012 Basic Community Emergency Response Training Class

By: Greg St. James, Montgomery County CERT / Fire Corps

Montgomery County Fire Rescue Service is happy to announce registration is open for our Spring 2012 Basic Community Emergency Response Training (CERT) class.CERT helps you prepare your family, your neighborhood, and your workplace for emergencies and disasters. Topics include CPR/First Aid, Fire Safety, Search and Rescue, Pet Preparedness, Family Disaster Kits, Incident Management, and Terrorism Awareness. Montgomery County CERT stresses hands on practical training taught by professional EMT’s, Firefighters, Educators, and International Disaster Responders.

CERT training is free to county residents 18 and older, and takes place twice a week over the course of month. Students are required to attend all sessions to receive a FEMAcertificate of completion.. The Spring 2012 class will take place in Gaithersburg on Wednesday evenings and Saturday mornings from March 14, through April 28, 2012 with a break included for the spring Holidays.  CERT operates on a first come basis for a limited number of seats.  To learn more please click HERE.

Please click here to complete an application and forward it to: Join@montgomerycert.org

Registration is Open For Spring 2012 Basic Community Emergency Response Training Class

By: Greg St. James, Montgomery County CERT / Fire Corps

Montgomery County Fire Rescue Service is happy to announce registration is open for our Spring 2012 Basic Community Emergency Response Training (CERT) class. CERT helps you prepare your family, your neighborhood, and your workplace for emergencies and disasters. Topics include CPR/First Aid, Fire Safety, Search and Rescue, Pet Preparedness, Family Disaster Kits, Incident Management, and Terrorism Awareness. Montgomery County CERT stresses hands on practical training taught by professional EMT’s, Firefighters, Educators, and International Disaster Responders.

CERT training is free to county residents 18 and older, and takes place twice a week over the course of month. Students are required to attend all sessions to receive a FEMA certificate of completion.. The Spring 2012 class will take place in Gaithersburg on Wednesday evenings and Saturday mornings from March 14, through April 28, 2012 with a break included for the spring Holidays.  CERT operates on a first come basis for a limited number of seats.  To learn more please click HERE.

Please click here to complete an application and forward it to: Join@montgomerycert.org

The Key To Disaster Survival? Friends And Neighbors

Thanks to one of our Facebook friends, I was made aware of a very interesting article that appeared on the NPR web site. It relates to community preparedness and what might help to assist you and your loved ones to survive a large scale disaster. Understand that if a county wide disaster hits MCFRS, despite our best efforts will be stretched thin and will be unable to be every where to help in the aftermath of a large scale, county wide disaster.

Go here to learn more: The Key To Disaster Survival? Friends And Neighbors

Of course, you should always make sure you have an Emergency Preparedness Kit on hand to ensure you have your own water, food, and other important supplies in sufficient quantity to last for at least three days.

It also does not hurt to have a Family Emergency Plan in place as well. Your family may not be together when disaster strikes so you will need a plan to contact each another and figure out how you will get back together with your loved ones.

One of the keys to surviving any disaster is being PREPARED! Take a moment to review all of the above links and make sure you and your loved ones are ready!

Best Regards,

Bill Delaney
Program Manager - Community Safety Education & Social Media
Office of the Fire Chief
Montgomery County Fire & Rescue

CERT Disaster Preparedness Classes

Rockville - - - The Montgomery County Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) is pleased to announce the spring and fall class schedule for 2011. The goal of the CERT program is to train members of the community in basic emergency preparedness and response skills so they can better help themselves and others in an emergency.

CERT consists of programs that serve in more than 170 communities nationwide. Montgomery CERT is managed by theMontgomery County Fire and Rescue Service and is based on the DHS/FEMA/Citizen Corps national standard curriculum. Through training programs, CERT members are instructed in basic emergency response skills including fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization and disaster medical operations.

Montgomery CERT offers a 30-hour basic CERT course. The 4-week training is offered free to Montgomery County residents, aged 18 or older, several times a year and advance registration is required. The Spring 2011 class is full. The next session will be offered in September and applications are being accepted. Please visit our website to register or for additional information or contact Program Manager Greg St. James at join@montgomerycert.org.

With the tragic events unfolding in Japan, CERT training provides an opportunity for everyday citizens to formalize their commitment to helping others. To learn more about what you can do, please visit the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service website at www.mcfrs.org/mcsafe. Additionally, to keep up-to-date with Montgomery County CERT activities, you are invited to attend monthly CERT meetings, check our calendar for date, time, and location!

Are you ready?

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MCFRS Announces Winter CERT Training Class Dates

Montgomery County’s Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) will conduct the first CERT training class of 2011 beginning January 26th in Rockville. The class is open to all Montgomery County residents age 18 and older and is offered free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis.

“CERT training is a vital component in moving towards a culture of preparedness,” said CERT Program Manager Greg St. James. “We know that immediately following a significant event or disaster that often the first critical response is neighbors helping neighbors. CERT prepares citizens to take action, apply their training and to raise awareness about the importance of emergency preparedness.”

Class topics include Disaster Preparedness, First Aid, CPR and Automated External Defibrillator (AED), Damage Assessment, Fire Safety, Hazardous Materials Awareness, Incident Command System (ICS), Pet Safety, Search and Rescue Techniques, Disaster Psychology, Terrorism Awareness, Radio Use, Mass Casualty Response and Disaster Simulations.

Montgomery County CERT courses are taught by certified instructors and upon successful completion students receive a FEMA certificate.

Classes will be held in Rockville at the Executive Office Building (EOB) or Council Office Building (COB) auditoriums on Wednesday evenings from 7 pm to 9 pm and on Saturdays from 9 am to 2 pm. Students are expected to attend all sessions to earn the FEMA certificate. For additional information and to register go to www.montgomerycert.org and follow the instructions.

Winter Session (must attend all sessions):

Wed. (EOB) 1-26-11 Disaster Preparation
Sat. (COB) 1-29-11 CPR/AED
Wed. (COB) 2-02-11 First Aid
Sat. (COB) 2-05-11 Damage Assessment /Hazardous Materials
Wed. (COB) 2-09-11 Incident Command System / Team Organization / Pet Safety
Sat. (COB) 2-12-11 Light Search and Rescue
Wed. (COB) 2-16-11 Disaster Psychology
Sat. (EOB) 2-19-11 Mass Casualty Incidents
Wed. (COB) 2-23-11 Terrorism
Sat. (EOB) 2-26-11 Final Practical

NEWS ADVISORY: Community Emergency Response Team Takes Training on the Road

MC CERT team with Montouis Haiti 'Lifesavers' June 2010.
CERT Program Manager Greg St. James in middle with Hawaiian shirt.

Montgomery County Fire Chief Richard Bowers announced the results of the County’s Community Emergency Response Team’s (CERT) training mission to Montrouis, Haiti. A team of three CERT volunteers, led by Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service CERT Program Manager Greg St. James, traveled to Haiti in June 2010 to conduct training in community-based disaster preparedness and response. Using modified lessons based on FEMA’s CERT curriculum, a train-the-trainer model was developed to meet the needs of Haiti’s population. The mission was funded by individual donations and a grant from the Rockville Rotary Club.

The Montgomery County trainers instructed a 'sister' team of 25 Haitian residents in the seaside town of Montrouis in first aid, basic search and rescue strategies and swift water rescue techniques using 'low tech' or minimal equipment. Since June, the Montrouis team (known as “Sove La Vie” or Lifesavers) has responded to severe flooding in July and the most recent Hurricane. The CERT “Lifesavers” team safely evacuated over 350 people from rising water, including several who had suffered serious injuries requiring additional medical treatment.

CERT Medic David Smith instructs Haitian team in June 2010

"CERT plays an important role in the recovery of communities in times of crisis and we are fortunate to be able to take our training on the road and help communities in Haiti to be safer and stronger in the future,” said Chief Bowers. “This training is an example of the value of community-based disaster readiness and response by ordinary citizens, both in Haiti and here in Montgomery County." said Chief Bowers. "The Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service has made a multi-year commitment to training residents and enhancing neighborhood readiness with CERT teams. This is an important part of our public safety mission and the success in Haiti demonstrates its value. I offer my sincere congratulations to the Montrouis Lifesavers for a job well done!"

The Montgomery County CERT program is comprised of over 250 volunteers and offers frequent training classes in disaster readiness, CPR, fire safety and first aid free of charge to county residents. The next CERT class is set for January 2011. To learn more visit www.montgomerycert.org, or contact Greg St. James at 240-777-2407.

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