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Saturday
March 20, 2010 Since 1922 |
Baytown's CERT team
From staff reports
Baytown Sun Published October 2, 2009 When disaster strikes, the public expects their government to be on the scene immediately, picking up the pieces and helping those in need. Unfortunately, this isn’t how things work. In an emergency, the police, the fire fighters, the governing bodies have to get organized, a vital step in the process but one that leaves the populace waiting for the assistance they anxiously anticipate. After a disaster, the citizens must care for themselves.
Fortunately for Baytown, there’s now a way for this to happen.
The City of Baytown has launched a new initiative for the creation of a CERT team. A CERT, standing for Community Emergency Response Team, is a group of residents who have undergone training from police, fire fighters and emergency responders in order to hit the streets as soon as it’s safe. The training is detailed, and includes such topics as disaster preparedness, fire suppression, medical operations, and search and rescue. Traditionally this is followed by a disaster simulation, wherein those skills can be applied in what amounts to a final exam.
The Community Emergency Response Team concept was developed and implemented by the Los Angeles City Fire Department (LAFD) in 1985. A place well-known for earthquakes, the Disaster Preparedness Division was enabled with the purpose of training citizens and private and government employees for the aftermath of such cataclysms. In our area, where hurricanes, tornadoes, and the threat of terrorist attacks persist, this is an excellent method for initiating the restoration of the area — and the rescue of those injured — as soon as possible.
Having played witness to the devastation of Hurricane Ike 13 months ago, one can wish that such an entity existed then. We wish all those involved in this groundbreaking program the best of luck, and while we certainly hope their skills are never needed, it’s comforting to know that our neighbors are standing by, sentinels against what fate throws our way.
Baytown Sun Published October 2, 2009 When disaster strikes, the public expects their government to be on the scene immediately, picking up the pieces and helping those in need. Unfortunately, this isn’t how things work. In an emergency, the police, the fire fighters, the governing bodies have to get organized, a vital step in the process but one that leaves the populace waiting for the assistance they anxiously anticipate. After a disaster, the citizens must care for themselves.
Fortunately for Baytown, there’s now a way for this to happen.
The City of Baytown has launched a new initiative for the creation of a CERT team. A CERT, standing for Community Emergency Response Team, is a group of residents who have undergone training from police, fire fighters and emergency responders in order to hit the streets as soon as it’s safe. The training is detailed, and includes such topics as disaster preparedness, fire suppression, medical operations, and search and rescue. Traditionally this is followed by a disaster simulation, wherein those skills can be applied in what amounts to a final exam.
The Community Emergency Response Team concept was developed and implemented by the Los Angeles City Fire Department (LAFD) in 1985. A place well-known for earthquakes, the Disaster Preparedness Division was enabled with the purpose of training citizens and private and government employees for the aftermath of such cataclysms. In our area, where hurricanes, tornadoes, and the threat of terrorist attacks persist, this is an excellent method for initiating the restoration of the area — and the rescue of those injured — as soon as possible.
Having played witness to the devastation of Hurricane Ike 13 months ago, one can wish that such an entity existed then. We wish all those involved in this groundbreaking program the best of luck, and while we certainly hope their skills are never needed, it’s comforting to know that our neighbors are standing by, sentinels against what fate throws our way.