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		Fremont Fire Department CERT Program and the Hearing Impaired *Laura Baggett, Fremont Fire Department CERT Program,* Volunteer District Coordinator Niles** At a California OES BayNET conference held by Carrie Barnecut, exchanging thoughts and ideas with others involved in similar types of training, I was quite surprised when asked how we integrated the hearing impaired into the main stream CERT program. The funny thing is we didn't stop and think that's what we were doing. I would like to share with you things that have made this work in the City of Fremont.
Leadership is the key to any successful venture. Here in Fremont we are privileged to have such leadership as Fremont Mayor Gus Morrison, City Council and CERT Member Judy Zlatnik, City Manager Jan Perkins and Fremont Fire Department Chief Dan Lydon. Their progressive thinking allows our CERT program to flourish. FFD DC Victor Valdes is a vital key to CERT. Under his guidance we are able to meet the challenges of CERT. He sees to our needs. He has given us our own classroom for training and all the tools we need to do the job right. He comes to the classes and shows his support. Most of all he has removed barriers that stifled our progression.
When you have no obstacles placed in front of you, you soon learn the only obstacles are the ones you create. We did not look at the deaf community, educationally challenged or our wheelchair bound members as special needs groups. They are citizens of Fremont that need training in disaster preparedness. They are among the best we have. We do not segregate them. They train and drill with the rest of the community. All of our members work well together meet any challenges that arise. We are the true meaning of "TEAM
FFD Acting Capt. Paul Vistica with the support of FFD DC Geoff La Tenderesse established a relationship via the California School for the Deaf Fremont (CSDF). He held a condensed version of CERT program for the Cottage supervisors that live on site Monday thru Friday. CSDF was so impressed with the information and training they received they supported CERT classes for the Hearing Impaired at the school. April 99, the first Hearing Impaired CERT class was held. We had interpreters for the class (which are now CERT members). Bill Miller a Civil Engineer for the City of Fremont has been instrumental in recruiting members from the deaf community for CERT training. He continues to be one of our strongest leaders. He also is very frank with us and how we present our selves and how to better serve the community. He is a valuable resource to CERT.
		In training with the hearing impaired we have adjusted a few things. To do a slide presentation in the dark made the interpreters impossible to see. So we put them under a spotlight making them visible to the class. The students did not understand the term "landfill" or "UN-reinforced masonry." With Bill's help we were able to bridge that gap by explaining with sign language and drawings the meaning of these terms. We maintain their information on the city database and keep them in the Niles district team database to make sure no one is ever left out of training events
Tamra Bye, has taken her CERT training into the preschool department at the CSDF. Encouraging parents and teachers to make sure the kids have supplies and comfort items in case of separation from parents in the event of a disaster. The hearing impaired have taken CERT back into the community, using their training to the fullest. Tamra's energy and passion in this area are to be admired. She is a natural leader. Open communication is very important. Ability to change is necessary to learning. Sometimes changes occur while a class is in progress. We do what ever it takes to make sure the students understand what we are trying to teach. This is not a program one person can take credit for. There are so many people whose hard work and dedication go into our program volunteers and Fire personnel alike, many who are not mentioned. Their work and efforts are the backbone of the CERT program.
In summary, to successfully integrate different groups and communities into a CERT program you must first realize you are dealing with real people who think and feel. Keeping the goal that one more person trained is one more CERT member. There are no obstacles that cannot be overcome. Involve the people you are training in their training. Leaders will naturally surface. Tap into those resources. They are more then willing to help guide you through the maze of challenges. Don't hesitate in asking for help. The Internet is a pathway to information and networking with people that willingly share information and guidance.
If the job gets overwhelming just remember the faces of those you have trained. The smiles and pride that shine through each of their faces, is your reward!


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