Each community CERT team may be expected to operaste independantly for a period of minutes to hours. In order to be prepared for this, the C5 recommends the following items be cached at an accessible location for use in an emergency.
Litters: collapsible litters, homemade backboards, tarp's and poles. Each team should have at least 2.
Cribbing Material: 4X4, 2X4, and 1X4 cut to 18inch lengths. C5 recommends 6-3-1: 6 10ft 4X4's, 3 10ft 2X4's, and 1 10ft 1X4. These can be bundled and tied together, or placed in 5 gallon buckets for easy transport.
First aid supplies: triangular dressings, ABD pads, bandaids, sterile saline (wound and eye irrigation), peroxide, splint material.
Water Supply: a case of bottled water, 5 gallon water jug, water decontamination tablets, plastic cups.
Shelter: tarps with a supply of bungi cords and light line such as parachute cord. This may be used as a ground cover for medical operations, and an overhead cover in inclement weather. A couple of folding chairs, and maybe a folding card table would be nice as well.
Communication: 2-4 FRS radio's for team communication. Adding a CB radio would increase range at which you could communicate. Adding a ham radio operator to your team would be very beneficial. Cell phones are a good tool, but a large event may disrupt some cells.
This is a very difficult question. In our county, the CERT trained persons are rather far flung. The concept of CERT involves neighbors getting together and helping each other. Our goal is for our members trained so far to develop this in therir neighborhood if at all possible. Regardless, your own abilities by being CERT trained are not negated by not having a team in your locale. In any kind of response situation, we are glad to have our volunteers to assist. In such a case you would notify the designated person in your alert roster that you are prepared to help, and follow the instructions that they give you at that point.
Your CERT kit is yours. When you attended the CERT course, you recieved it packed with a variety of supplies, such as helmet, vest, triangular bandages, gloves, and flashlight. You really need to personalize it, to make it a truly useful item. A first aid kit, medications, and a change of socks and undergarments would be a smart addition. Adding some personal hygiene items would be smart as well. Some other things members have added are: toilet paper, a large black plastic garbage bag, ziplock bags, parachute cord, pocketknife, whistle, chemical lights, helmet mounted light, bungi cords, small tarp. Do you have any additions? Please let us know!
Go to the class!! every student gets a shirt free. If you do want another, the C5 charges $10.00 each for them. just send an e-mail to cccadmin@coryellcitizencorps.org
The Coryell CERT is a county wide response team composed of persons that typically have more advanced training that CERT alone. This may include fire fighter, paramedic, search and rescue, Red Cross disaster training, and others. Just because you do not have extra training or certifications, doesn't mean you can't join though! We would be glad to assist and possibly even get you the training if needed.
The Coryell CERT is a group of persons that are committed to responding if Coryell county public officials contact us. The skills we can contribute to county wide emergency efforts can be quite varied; we anticipate assisting in search and rescue, but can respond to major disastor sites and assist as well. Luckily many of our members so far are trained in a variety of skills, so we really can contribute in many ways. If you are interested, please contact cccadmin@coryellcitizencorps.org