High School Seniors Complete Community Emergency Response Team Training
Seniors at the Queen Anne’s County High School enrolled in the Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, recently completed Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Training. CERT Training educates volunteers with basic disaster preparedness and disaster response skills. Debra Hopkins from Queen Anne’s County Department of Emergency Services provided over 20 hours of training during the first semester of school. Students received a combination of lecture and hands on exercises during their scheduled class time.
CERT training is designed to give regular citizens skills that may be necessary during an emergency if response personnel are delayed. “With our high school seniors being on the cusp of adulthood this training is beneficial for their safety during a disaster and others’ safety as well.” said Debra Hopkins, Department of Emergency Services
CERT Training is an opportunity for the students to be in a different environment than their usual classroom setting. Training consists of fire safety, basic medical care, search and rescue, disaster psychology, team organization, and an introduction to terrorism. Students are also introduced to the Department of Emergency Services and equipment that emergency responders use.
Students that participate in the Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness pathway at Queen Anne’s County High School learn how to prepare for disasters and even build a training exercise as part of their final project. Jason Woodward, Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness instructor. Woodward, who previously participated in CERT training, found the experience rewarding and wanted to give his students the same opportunity.
“Bringing the two curriculums together has been a great experience that not only benefits students, but also adds a cadre of future volunteers.” Says Jason Woodward, Queen Anne’s County High School These student volunteers leave class more educated on disaster readiness than your typical community member.
Community Emergency Response Training is available to anyone interested in acquiring skills that they may need during a disaster to help themselves and their neighbors. To learn more about the Queen Anne’s County CERT program visit qac.org and search “CERT” or follow the Department of Emergency Services on social media @QACDES
Picture Caption: Students that Completed the CERT Training Luke Allen, Alyssa Apple, Cody Chamberlain, Faith Corder, Caleb Curry, Paige Falstad, Jason Haney, Paige Hayes, Joseph Hershey, Jacob Kennedy, Madeline Kent, Kaitlyn Lee, Rowan Maltby, Karl Milligan, Ethan Parrinello, Ella Pinder, Jordan Trent, and Ryan Webster.