CERT is a national Citizen Corps program under the direction of Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Office of Homeland Security that educates the citizens about natural disasters and the hazards they face in their community and trains them in lifesaving skills.

The Kern River Valley CERT volunteer team started in May 2004 with basic training courses. The goal of CERT is to train residents in basic response skills. There are 8 modules where you will learn Disaster Preparedness, Fire Suppressions, Medical Aid Operations I including Triage and treating life threatening injuries, Disaster Medical Operations II - Assessment, Treatment and Hygiene, Light Search and Rescue, CERT Team Organization, Disaster Psychology, and Terrorism and CERT. These sessions require about 20 hours to complete. There is a donation of $20.00 for the cost of materials . Each participant will receive a CERT manual to use during the training.

Some of our CERT volunteers have taken training to teach these classes. Our mission is to walk you through the basic steps to prepare for a disaster, starting with your family. In a catastrophic event, fire and police are going to be spread so thin that the Kern River Valley will need CERT teams to mobilize and help their neighbors and triage and treat the injured. CERT is trained to go in and get people out and save lives.

Why Should I Be Prepared? Each year, California communities are hit by earthquakes, flash floods, and wild land fires. A severe disaster may overwhelm first responders; i.e., Fire Dept., Sheriff Dept. and Medical Aid Services. This can leave the Kern River Valley residents cut off from outside emergency support. Damaged roads, and disrupted communications would delay the protection and care of our families and neighbors in needs. Do you know what to do? Are you prepared with the basic items needed to maintain your family for 3-5 days? Join the CERT program and make a difference in your community.

For more information on and/or to sign up for the next CERT basic training session go to the link "contact us". Being prepared helps you to be a solution, not a victim. A CERT member will be glad to contact you.