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	CERT "CHAMPIONS" Sam Isenberger FEMA's Emergency Management Institute I am pleased to have three new partners sponsoring CERT training to prepare civilians and employees for the hazards that they face. These partners are the Department of State, the American Red Cross with FEMA’s Caribbean Area Division in Puerto Rico, and the Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance. Each has funded a Train-the-Trainer (TTT) to prepare an instructor cadre to teach CERT.
The Department of State conducted TTT classes in Madrid, Spain and Bangkok, Thailand for embassy medical staff from around the world. They will return to their embassies to do training for staff and families. The American Red Cross conducted training in San Juan, Puerto Rico for representatives from Project Impact communities. CERT fits well with the Project Impact concept by partnering community members and emergency management. Finally, the Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance is sponsoring training in Turkey for members of the teaching staff of Istanbul Technical University. They will introduce CERT training to Turkish communities.
	Like many of you, these new partners have accepted the responsibility to provide hazard education and preparedness training for their citizens and employees. It is great to have them as part of our CERT program.


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