The Orange County Health Department and Orange County Emergency Management invite community members to join the Community Emergency Response Team Program (CERT) . Orange County CERT teaches participants how to provide basic emergency response services in their neighborhood after a disaster. After a major disaster, first responders may not be able to meet service demands in every community. Factors like the number of victims, communication failures, and blocked roads may delay health and safety responders. In a situation like this, community members would have to rely on each other for immediate needs until professional responders arrive.
Participants receive hands-on training in emergency preparedness, fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, disaster psychology, personal safety, and animal protection. Training ends with a drill where teams practice newly learned skills. Participants also receive educational material and response gear (hard hat, reflective vest, safety whistle, identification badge, and more). After training, teams function as self-sustaining units.
We want multiple Orange County neighborhoods to have a CERT. Please promote this program to members of your community and organization. Summer classes will be held in the Chapel Hill / Carrboro area. Our flyer, training calendar, and registration form are attached. A group of 5 or more people can start a team. Individuals are also welcome to register. There is no registration fee and training materials are provided at no cost.
Be Ready When Disaster Strikes! Join CERT. Click here for more information.
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- join-cert.pdf ( )