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	CERT "CHAMPIONS" Sam Isenberger FEMA's Emergency Management Institute Greetings from Emergency Management Institute in Emmitsburg, Maryland. I am in the fortunate position of receiving good news from CERT "Champions" from around the country. One trend that I see is the movement of CERT training programs into schools. When in session, school and college campuses resemble small to mid-size communities. They will have the same problems as any town or city after a disaster - many needs and limited outside resources. Recognizing this fact, these schools and colleges are training their staff in the skills that they need to mitigate and respond to the effects of disasters. By doing this, they are increasing their capability to protect and save the lives of our children.
A few high schools have taken CERT training a step further. They offer it to their students as part of their school curriculum. In the June 2000 issue of the International Association of Emergency Managers Bulletin, there is an article about CERT training in Winter Springs High School in Florida. Students in the Environmental Class participated in CERT training. They had fun and learned valuable skills that are useful for a disaster as well as everyday life. Better yet, they received credit for completing the training. When you look at the potential impact of hazards in your area, do not forget to look at the schools. How prepared are they to care for and help each other until help arrives? Maybe your schools should consider CERT
Since the last edition of The Connection, I have added some new things to our CERT web page. One is a video of John Moede, firefighter/paramedic with the Los Angeles Fire Department, teaching medical skills in our train-the-trainer class. The other is a CERT field-operating guide developed by David Donnelly with Alachua County Department of Fire/Rescue Services in Florida.
Take a look at them at http://www.fema.gov/emi/cert/ under video and supplemental materials. Until the next edition of The Connection, I wish you success in your preparedness efforts.

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