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	WHAT IS A CERT TO ME? *Scott Amundsen, CERT Team Leader, Hernando County, Florida* As our instructor Mark Tobert stated the first night of our CERT Class, “the objective of the CERT team is to help your neighbors and family in the event of a disaster”. When I think back to that wonderful evening, now almost two years ago, I can only say wow, where was this program during the "no name storm" of 1993? I craved to help save my parents stranded out there on a Gulf shore home during the event. So, when I heard about the CERT program I thought, ‘why not’, you never know when the next big storm will hit.
Since that day, what a long way we have come. The organization in Hernando County, Florida that started as a 25 person team of local crime watch members, that didn't know a tourniquet from a splint, has now flourished into over 100 members and a Non-Profit Association, with trained personnel, and a cadre of trainers developed out of the group!
We have jumped some incredible hurdles along the way, everything from “will we have enough money to buy more CERT kits?”, To challenges of how will we communicate with each other in a storm. Some people even joined not knowing what they were getting into... That is, until the end of course DRILL!! Possibly, the worst day of your life. And yet, after you get through it and say, wow, we would have saved these people if it were real. What an adventure, and to have the knowledge of what to do when the worst of the worst happens.
What an adventure, and to have the knowledge of what to do when the worst of the worst happens. This is what CERT has done for me. This training and organization instills a new level of confidence in a person, that if you see a car accident that just happened, you no longer have to say, "wow, I wish I could help", as you drive by! The knowledge of seeing a tanker truck go by and know that the diamond shaped label means it's only non-potable water and not fuel. The faith to talk nothing but good things about what an organization is doing in the community, rather than, what the latest complaint is about.
	What is CERT to me? A great sense of accomplishment. But wait, there's more!!! It’s the Florida Statewide CERT Conference! Now we have this fantastic opportunity to gather with other CERT teams from around the state, swap funny horror stories of our Skill-A-Thons, and drills which always have some guy yelling and stealing bags! To know that other people just like you, who wanted the same knowledge you did, are doing the same things your doing in their communities. What a fantastic place to share ideas, get acquainted with your neighbors, and find ways to work together as one large family of CERT members across Florida and the USA. You can hear from speakers that represent and sponsor this whole idea from across the nation, and now the group of helpers and concerned citizens grow even larger, with AmeriCorps and Citizen Corps.
Wow, the things that one person can accomplish with an idea. The Florida CERT conference gets bigger and better every year, and this year is no exception, as the hosts for the 3rd annual CERT conference, Hernando, Pasco, & Citrus Counties will cover everything from boating safety to helping the wounded horse. We will have entertainment from local musical groups, drill teams and even a fantastic underwater Mermaid show. Over 20 training seminars and a mass disaster drill, along with displays from local emergency responders, vendors from across the country to fulfill all of your CERT equipment needs.
	A tremendous event, for nothing less than a tremendous organization. The Florida CERT Conference will be a great time to get away from all the worries of home and get to the worry of, “WHAT CLASS WILL WE ATTEND NEXT”! It will be a lot of fun, and a tremendous learning experience. So, mark your calendars now, Thursday, January 15 thru Sunday, January 18th 2004. Visit us on the web at www.floridacert.com Hope to see you all there!

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