The Connection newsletter is comprised of articles written by the people from around the Country who are involved in community preparedness on a daily basis.

ARE YOU PREPARING FOR A TSUNAMI IN THE MIDWEST, WE NEED YOU HELP!
Frank Lucier, Editor
What we need is a Best Practices database of CERT standard operating procedures for floods, hurricanes, thunderstorms and other hazards and we need your help in putting it together. Here why! ...Go to Article

Winter’s cold, wind and snow are becoming a memory. Spring brings renewal - the greening of grass and the color of flowers.  Spring also is a harbinger of hazards – flood, tornadoes, and thunderstorms.  Hurricane season approaches.  It is time to review the preventive and preparedness actions for these hazards.  Review the material that you learned during CERT training.  Look for additional information from others sources like the Internet.  Discuss the right things to do with your loved ones and co-workers.  Participate in a CERT exercise.  Enjoy spring but be ready....Go to Article

HOW CAN INDIVIDUALS BE BETTER PREPARED FOR CATASTROPHIC TERRORIST ATTACKS?
Dr. Lynn Davis, Senior Political Scientist, RAND

When Jordanian officials recently foiled what they claim were plans for a massive al Qaeda chemical attack, it brought home the reality that such catastrophic terrorist attacks could happen.  According to a Jordanian government scientist, such an attack would have produced a toxic cloud of poisonous chemicals, possibly spreading for a mile, or even more.  Estimates of the death toll from such an attack ranged from 20,000 to 80,000, and many of those would be individuals caught in the aftermath as the cloud spread...Go to Article

The ability to communicate in a secure manner with citizens is of utmost importance and priority to homeland security.  Local citizens have the best information about what is happening in their neighborhoods, in real-time, and can provide information using technology, such as cell phones, camera phones and the internet much faster than traditional reporting sources.  Yet as community groups such as Neighborhood Watch, Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT) and other Citizen Corp programs grow in numbers, so too does the communication gap that exists between these groups and the agencies they serve... Go to Article

MY EXPERIENCE AS A JUDGE AT THE BICEPP CERT COMPETITION
Patricia Pitts, CERT Coordinator of King William County, Virginia

When I was appointed Volunteer Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Coordinator for King William County, Virginia, I never dreamed of the opportunities or experiences I would encounter.

As a CERT Coordinator I have received many emails regarding items for sale, conferences and the email from Chris Wright of BICEPP in Los Angeles, California inviting CERT Coordinators to participate in a CERT Competition April 3rd and 4th, 2004 by sending a team, be a judge, or vendor...Go to Article  

HURRICANE ISABEL AND CERT
Jeffrey J. Morrison, Huntington Beach CA. CERT Graduate 1994 & Student at U.S. Naval Academy

One might wonder what CERT and Hurricane Isabel have to do with each other. CERT is in Southern California, Isabel on the Eastern Seaboard; CERT deals with disasters like floods and earthquakes, Isabel was a hurricane.   I will tell you what they have to do with each other...ME!   Being a native Southern Californian, I am accustomed to infrequent earthquakes, mud slides, Santa Ana Winds, wild land fires, and that very rare water spout off the coast.   When the National Weather Service put Annapolis Maryland on a level five hurricane alert, I was caught off guard.   Being a CERT graduate for nine years and being the son of the Master of Disaster of Huntington Beach, I thought I was ready for whatever Isabel could throw at me...but was I?... Go to Article

CERT TRAINING A BIG SUCCESS!
Alfreida Jake, Elko Band Environmental, Nevada

CERT Training a big success! Attendees would do it again!

The community members of the Te-Moak Tribe of the Western Shoshone came together to learn and practice the  skills involved in the CERT training. The participants enjoyed the hands on training from basic disaster medicine to the mock disaster exercise. ...Go to Article

Brad McKeen is a Tenderfoot with Troop 24 in Norton, MA and is taking the CERT class offered by Norton Emergency Management (NEMA) for a merit badge.  Brad, who at 13 is the youngest CERT class member in Norton, when asked why he is taking the class says "This is a great way to learn how to help others in the community and by coming here myself may help get other Scouts here for the next session."... Go to Article

Continuing education has been found to be lacking in most programs.  Whether it is because of lack of training dollars, instructors, lack of time in setting up the program, or just lack of interest on both parts, continuing education / training suffers.  In Boca Raton Fire Rescue CERT program training has become the number 1 priority.  Last year Boca Raton Fire Rescue offered over 25 continuing education classes to its members.  Interest perked and over 500 students took advantage of what was offered...Go to Article 

CERT & GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY
Jay Callan, Emergency Plans Officer, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia

In September 2003, Tom Hennessey, George Mason University’s Chief of Staff, directed the Safety Office to investigate the possibility of establishing a CERT on the George Mason campus.  His suggestion was a response to the numerous members of the campus community who were looking for ways to “get involved” in the University’s safety and security.  A campus-wide recruiting effort resulted in close to twenty faculty, staff, and students enrolling in the initial training class.   A group of 11 individuals finished the initial CERT training with Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department in March 2004...Go to Article

Community Disaster Volunteers Train & Perform In Burbank
Thomas Patrick O’Shaughnessy, CERT Team Member, Burbank, California

In Burbank, California, the Community Disaster Volunteer program has expanded to support the mission of the Emergency Services Division of the Burbank Fire Department beyond the primary CERT Training in a number of ways.  This was exemplified on Sunday, the 4^th of April at the BICEPP, ERT Challenge held in Los Angeles with community teams from throughout California and the Western States...Go to Article

Since September 11, 2001, Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) programs have expanded to meet the growing number of people wanting to be trained for disaster preparedness and to help their communities.  While the extra help during a disaster or even educational settings are needed due to lack of resources, the use of volunteer responders presents a unique challenge to emergency service managers...Go to Article

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...Go to Article

VALLEY CENTER CERT
Mary Meade  Volunteer Program Manager, Valley Center CERT, California

Valley Center graduated three CERT trainers during the three day FEMA Train-the-Trainer class held in San Diego this week.  Valley Center CERT Program Manager Mary Meade, Valley Center CERT graduate Maj. Bill Bensch, and transplanted Rancho Cucamonga CERT volunteer Dave Dugger, joined the ranks of 40 new San Diego professional and volunteer emergency responders who are now qualified to train other trainers to deliver their local CERT programs...Go to Article

On Sunday, March 7, 2004, CERT members worked at the finish line of the Los Angeles Marathon. With a record of 24,532 runners taking part in the marathon, and with temperatures pushing into the 80s by midday, we had a lot to do. We helped many runners to the medical tent, kept watch for those who needed help, and worked to set up cots for the overflow from the medical tent...Go to Article

Do your have an idea for an article? Would you like to include an article from a program you are involved in? The next issue deadline is November 5, 2004
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