Training Community emergency response team

on february 5, 2017, community emergency response team training in berwyn heights, maryland 2 members putting out fire.



on february 5, 2017, community emergency response team training while in gear.

while state , local jurisdictions implement training in manner best suits community, citizen corps cert program has established curriculum. jurisdictions may augment training, encouraged deliver entire core content. citizen corps cert core curriculum basic course composed of following 9 units (time instructional hours):

unit 1: disaster preparedness (2.5 hrs). topics include (in part) identifying local disaster threats, disaster impact, mitigation , preparedness concepts, , overview of citizen corps , cert. hands on skills include team-building exercises, , shutting off utilities.
unit 2: fire safety (2.5 hrs). students learn fire chemistry, mitigation practices, hazardous materials identification, suppression options, , introduced concept of size-up. hands-on skills include using fire extinguisher suppress live flame, , wearing basic protective gear. firefighting standpipes unconventional firefighting methods covered.
unit 3: disaster medical operations part 1 (2.5 hrs). students learn identify , treat life-threatening conditions in disaster setting, start triage. hands-on skills include performing head-tilt/chin-lift, practicing bleeding control techniques, , performing triage exercise.
unit 4: disaster medical operations part 2 (2.5 hrs). topics cover mass casualty operations, public health, assessing patients, , treating injuries. students practice patient assessment, , various treatment techniques.
unit 5: light search , rescue operations (2.5 hrs). size-up expanded students learn assessing structural damage, marking structures have been searched, search techniques, rescue techniques , cribbing. hands-on activities include lifting , cribbing object, , practicing rescue carries.
unit 6: cert organization (1.5 hrs). students introduced several concepts incident command system, , local team organization , communication explained. hands-on skills include table-top exercise focusing on incident command , control.
unit 7: disaster psychology (1 hr). responder well-being , dealing victim trauma topics of unit.
unit 8: terrorism , cert (2.5 hrs). students learn how terrorists may choose targets, weapons may use, , identifying when chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, or explosive weapons may have been deployed. students learn cert roles in preparing , responding terrorist attacks. table-top exercise highlights topics covered.
unit 9: course review , disaster simulation (2.5 hrs). students take written exam, participate in real-time practical disaster simulation different skill areas put test. critique follows exercise students , instructors have opportunity learn mistakes , highlight exemplary actions. students may given certificate of completion @ conclusion of course.

citizen corps cert training emphasizes safely doing most people possible when responding disaster. reason, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (cpr) training not included in core curriculum, time , responder intensive in mass-casualty incident. however, many jurisdictions encourage or require cert members obtain cpr training. many cert programs provide or encourage members take additional first aid training. cert members may take training become certified first responder or emergency medical technician.

arlington community emergency response team (cert) provided back-up support county s 911 system.

many cert programs provide training in amateur radio operation, shelter operations, flood response, community relations, mass care, incident command system (ics), , national incident management system (nims).

each unit of citizen corps cert training ideally delivered professional responders or other experts in field addressed unit. done build unity between cert members , responders, keep attention of students, , professional response organizations comfortable training cert members receive.

each course of instruction ideally facilitated 1 or more instructors certified in cert curriculum state or sponsoring agency. facilitating instructors provide continuity between units, , ensure cert core curriculum being delivered successfully. facilitating instructors perform set-up , tear-down of classroom, provide instructional materials course, record student attendance , other tasks assist professional responder in delivering unit efficiently possible.

citizen corps cert training provided free interested members of community, , delivered in group classroom setting. people may complete training without obligation join cert. citizen corps grant funds can used print , provide each student printed manual. sponsoring agencies use citizen corps grant funds purchase disaster response tool kits. these kits offered incentive join cert, , must returned sponsoring agency when members resign cert.

some sponsoring agencies require criminal background-check of trainees before allowing them participate on cert. example, city of albuquerque, new mexico require volunteers pass background check, while city of austin, texas not require background check take part in training classes requires members undergo background check in order receive cert badge , directly assist first responders during activation of emergency operations center. however, programs not require criminal background check in order participate.

cert volunteers during classroom portion of training.

the citizen corps cert curriculum (including train-the-trainer course) updated during last half of 2008 reflect feedback instructors across nation. update in final review, , scheduled release during first quarter of 2009.