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Peck, Idaho CERT Class Picture	Y2K C.E.R.T. RESPONSE Robert Scharnowske Lewiston-Nez Perce County Emergency Management The most frequent question we're asked in Year 2000 presentations is "what's going to happen?" There are no clear answers, and none expected before New Year's Eve. The uncertainty alone, can contribute to panic and poor decisions. We believe the answer is prepared communities founded on prepared individuals…"prepared people don't panic."
The CERT program is a vital tool in addressing unknown Y2K impacts. Its very existence in a rural community has a calming effect for those wondering, for example, if 9-1-1 will work as advertised. In many towns, citizens can be easily cut-off from emergency services. In a disaster this could be due to diminished resources or lack of local emergency services training. CERT teams have two important traits that make them effective even when other resources are not: CERT teams can operate without the influence of computer related technology. CERTs have a response capability that is local and immediate. The CERT program gives more than excellent training, it give neighbors a chance to meet one another. Members of the program find out what talents others possess in there neighborhood. CERT team members: Talk to their neighbors. Share their concerns, not just about Y2K, but about disaster preparation in general - be it floods, ice storms, blizzards or fires. Organize as a neighborhood. Work and meet together as a neighborhood. Talk about personal experiences in disasters. Build on neighbors helping neighbors. CERT teams network their existing resources. Who has what skills Who has special needs Who can supply water when the power goes out Who has food that can be shred with neighbors Who has firewood/chainsaw/truck Who can garden Who can preserve food Who has medical skills
	The Lewiston-Nez Perce County Office of Emergency Management has conducted two CERT classes to date. Ten people have completed the program last August in Peck, Idaho, and eight completed the course last February in Lenore, Idaho. Additional classes are being scheduled for Culdesac and Lewiston.
A CERT Train-the-Trainer is also going to be taught in October of this year. Targeted audience for future classes include: Work communities -- Potlatch, Blount, hospitals, etc. Service Communities -- Home Health Agencies, Area Agency on Aging, Salvation Army, youth and church organizations. Combined communities -- Shopping malls, retirement centers, day care, nursing homes. CERT training is a practical approach to address the potential Y2K disaster. If a crisis is to develop CERT trained communities will be ready, not just for Y2K, but for all disasters. For more information on the Lewiston-Nez Perce County CERT program visit our web page at http://users.lewiston.com/emgmt

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