QACHS Students Complete Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Training
Seniors at Queen Anne’s County High School enrolled in the Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness class recently completed the first Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training on January 10, 2020. CERT training educates volunteers on basic disaster preparedness and disaster response skills. Students were instructed by Emergency Management Associate Joseph Cichocki from the Queen Anne’s County Department of Emergency Services along with Emergency Medical Services personnel every Friday during regular class hours. The students completed the 21 plus hours of basic training during the first semester of school.
Mr. Woodward, the Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness pathway instructor for Queen Anne’s County High School saw information regarding CERT Training being offered in the county for adults and thought it was a perfect fit for his students. The CERT Training has real world applications relevant to the information students have learned in the Homeland Security class along with other disaster-oriented material. Bringing the two curriculums together was a promising fit, not only did it benefit students; it also added a cadre of future volunteers during a disaster.
In a disaster when Emergency Services personnel could be delayed in response, CERT volunteers become the first to respond. Seniors being on the cusp of adulthood and their future are an integral part in not only their safety during a disaster but others’ safety as well. The CERT Training was a great opportunity for the students to be in a different environment than their usual classroom setting. CERT Training educated students on fire safety, basic medical operations, light search and rescue operations, disaster psychology, team organization, and an introduction to terrorism. Students were also given a tour of an ambulance and given a brief synopsis on the Department of Emergency Services in Queen Anne’s County.
For more information about preparing for a disaster or future offerings of CERT training visit www.qacdes.com and click on the CERT logo.