The City of Wentzville, MO is proving once again that it will stop at nothing to be the shining star in St. Charles County, and live up to its’ motto “a community of neighbors working together to build a better future”.  The newly formed Community Emergency Response Team, headed by Wentzville’s Emergency Management Agency Director Phillip Yocum, consists entirely of local volunteers, and has the complete support of the Wentzville Police and Fire Departments, local business and government. 

CERT is a positive and realistic approach to emergency and disaster situations where citizens may initially be on their own and their actions can make a difference.  While ordinary people will respond to others in need without the training, one goal of the Wentzville CERT program is to help them do so effectively and efficiently without placing themselves or others in unnecessary danger.  With the mandatory 20-hours of CERT training at the Wentzville Law Enforcement Center, citizens learn to manage utilities and put out small fires, and treat the three medical killers by opening airways, controlling bleeding, and treating for shock.  CERT members also learn to provide basic medical aid, search for and rescue victims safely, organize themselves and spontaneous volunteers to be effective, and collect disaster intelligence to support first responder efforts.

Recently, the first class of 18 volunteers completed their CERT training with a two-part test and graduation.  Wentzville Police Chief Robert Noonan and Wentzville Deputy Fire Chief Bill Cook were on hand to give their support and provide their invaluable knowledge to the team.

The day began with the group performing hands-on fire suppression at the General Motors – Wentzville facility.  With the support of the Wentzville Fire Department and General Motors, the group put out flammable liquid fires, and experienced how fires respond to the various types of fire extinguishers. 

Afterwards, the group went to Rotary Park to execute search and rescue operations in a mock disaster situation.  Such things as lifting large objects off of victims, and doing victim carries and drags were performed.

Local governments prepare for everyday emergencies.  However, during a disaster, the number and scope of incidents can overwhelm conventional emergency services.  The Wentzville CERT program trains volunteers in all-risk, all-hazard situations.  The mission of CERT and the Wentzville Emergency Management Agency is to save lives and property when major disaster threatens its citizen's safety.

Classes are being formed on a regular basis, and anyone interested in being part of the Wentzville area CERT program should contact Wentzville’s Emergency Management office. 

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