The Speedway Police Citizens Academy Alumni Association is facilitating 
a CERT for Speedway residents.
Last year, we created an interest survey and had an overview presentation on the CERT program. We have now scheduled the class and all who completed the survey have had an opportunity to sign up, and are opening up the registration for the class to anyone in Speedway, even if you previously did not express interest (or if you have, you can still sign up, here!).
What is CERT?
The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program helps train people to be better prepared to respond to emergency situations in their communities. When emergencies happen, CERT members can give critical support to first responders, provide immediate assistance to victims, and organize spontaneous volunteers at a disaster site. CERT members can also help with non-emergency projects that help improve the safety of the community.
How Does CERT Benefit the Community?
Following a major disaster, first responders who provide fire and medical services will not be able to meet the demand for these services. Factors as number of victims, communication failures, and road blockages will prevent people from accessing emergency services they have come to expect at a moment’s notice through 911. People will have to rely on each other for help in order to meet their immediate life saving and life sustaining needs.
One also expects that under these kinds of conditions family members, fellow employees, and neighbors will spontaneously try to help each other. This was the case following the Mexico City earthquake where untrained, spontaneous volunteers saved 800 people. However, 100 people lost their lives while attempting to save others. This is a high price to pay and is preventable through training.
If we can predict that emergency services will not meet immediate needs following a major disaster, especially if there is no warning as in an earthquake, and people will spontaneously volunteer, what can government do to prepare citizens for this eventuality?
First, present people the facts about what to expect following a major disaster in terms of immediate services. Second, give the message about their responsibility for mitigation and preparedness. Third, train them in needed life saving skills with emphasis on decision making skills, rescuer safety, and doing the greatest good for the greatest number. Fourth, organize teams so that they are an extension of first responder services offering immediate help to victims until professional services arrive.
I want to help, what do I need to do?
Attend the CERT 21-hour basic training course to become a Team Member. You will learn how to prepare yourself, your family and your community for a disaster. Become familiar with tools to help you organize after a disaster and how to conduct triage and provide basic first aid. Learn to assess damage after the disaster, extinguish a small fire, conduct searches and rescue victims safely, and complete a small-scale disaster simulation!
The Speedway Police Citizens Academy Alumni Association has made arrangements with Indianapolis Public Safety, Division of Homeland Security to have the basic training course for Speedway residents. Our class is scheduled for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday February 2-4 at the Community Center at Flanner & Buchanan on High School Road.
Once you have completed the basic course, you are eligible to take advanced classes from the DHS in a variety of additional topics they offer each year, ranging from Disaster First Aid, Radio Communications, Search & Rescue, and more.
There is no cost to attend; however, please note that This Is A 21 Hour Course and You Must Attend The Entire Series Of Three Dates listed below.
DATES: FRIDAY 2/2, SATURDAY 2/3, SUNDAY 2/4.
HOURS: Friday from 6PM-9PM, Saturday from 8AM-5PM, Sunday 8AM-5PM
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