New Page 2

	CONTINUING EDUCATION Bill Jennings, Chairman Central Florida CERT Association An important part of a successful CERT program is continuing education. The Central Florida CERT Association recognizes that CERT members are not only rescuers, but community leaders. With this in mind, the CERT Association not only provides continuing education in first aid, but offers programs that would assist CERT members in providing direction for their community.
One of the most successful meetings was conducted by the Orlando Waste Water Division. They brought drawings and overheads to explain how the sewer system works and what happens when hurricane rains overcome the system. When a citizen comes to a CERT person and asks what to do when the water is backing up in their tub, the CERT person will have an answer. At another meeting, a Florida Hospital Chaplain made it clear to team members that their responsibility, in a death situation, was not to notify next of kin, even if they are friends with the family. Death notification is the task of the hospital, Fire, or Police Department. The Chaplain discussed the situation when someone comes from ten blacks away to check on a family member who has been fatality injured. When the family is directed to the team member, the chaplain cautioned this was not a time for platitudes i.e., everything is going to be all right. It was a time to assure the family that someone would stay with them. This is a place where a citizen who is not trained in emergency response, but wants to help, could be utilized. In another class the Red Cross explained what will happen when their workers arrive on the scene. The Central Florida CERT Teams have had an excellent working relationship with the local Red Cross. It is important CERT members need to know what services the Red Cross provides. At another meeting the Orlando Utilities Safety Officer, who also worked in Andrew, gave an excellent presentation about what takes place when the utility company starts to restore power. As Safety Officer, he was emphatic about his responsibilities towards the safety of the utility crew, and this emphasis was carried over to the safety of the CERT worker. As I write this we are looking forward to a class on terrorism, and a class on media relations. With Disney World close by Orlando is considered a target for terrorists. An Orlando Fire Department Lieutenant who has worked in planing for terrorist attacks will talk about the city plans and where CERT members can be used in the event of an act of terrorism. The Public Education Officer for the Orlando Fire Department, who has background in media relations, is going to make a presentation on the dos and don’ts of team members when it comes to working with the media. Before the advent of the rolling newsrooms, this was all handled by the Information Officer for the Fire Department. My local team is in area next to an interstate exit, an ideal spot for the local news team from Sandusky to park and start sending back live feeds. CERT workers need to be aware of the proper response. In a disaster people will be looking for someone to answer their questions. A varied program of continuing education will make CERT members more valuable to their community. The Central Florida CERT Association represents CERT groups from all over the Central Florida area. We are sponsored by the Orlando Fire Department. Maryalicia Johnson, Public Education Officer, is the OFD liaison for Central Florida CERT.

Return to *THE CONNECTION*