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Fire Administration Office, City Hall 5560 Highway 78
972-495-0975,
ext 48
A Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) is a group of people organized as a neighborhood-based team that receives special training to enhance their ability to recognize, respond to, and recover from a major emergency or disaster situation. Teams are trained by professional responders and certified trainers in areas that will help them take care of themselves and others before, during, and after a major emergency. As an organized team, individuals can provide vital services in the absence of and while waiting for the arrival of emergency responders, and they often assist once responders arrive.
Sachse has always had an all-disasters approach to
emergencies. Among the more likely emergencies in Sachse are fires and
weather-related situations such as tornadoes and flash flooding. CERT
members also assist with crowd and traffic control during community events
such as the July fireworks show and the Christmas parade. SACHSE CITIZENS INVITED TO ATTEND CERT CLASS
Sachse Fire-Rescue Chief Doug Kendrick notes that since Rowlett and Sachse
CERT programs work together, Sachse residents interested in
participating in CERT are invited to attend this training. Being prepared is everyone’s responsibility. Get Ready Today.
SACHSE CERT ASSISTED AT FIREWORKS EVENT
SACHSE FIRE RESCUE CONDUCTS FIRST CERT CLASS
The CERT concept was developed and implemented by the City of Los Angeles Fire Department in 1985. The department recognized that citizens would very likely be on their own during the early stages of a catastrophe and that, with some basic training in disaster survival and rescue skills, they would be better able to survive and help others until responders or other assistance could arrive. Many coastal communities, particularly in hurricane-prone areas, have already trained thousands of people. CERT training has proven so beneficial that FEMA recommends CERT training be done nationwide. The Emergency Management institute, in cooperation with the LA Fire Department, has expanded CERT materials and made them applicable for all contemporary hazards. The events of 9/11 made it abundantly clear that the resources of any public safety department could become overwhelmed in a disaster. Citizens wanted to help and it quickly became apparent that the most helpful volunteers were those with some level of disaster-relief training. Thus emerged the concept of the first all-disaster, neighborhood-based CERTs. The goal is to have a CERT in every neighborhood.
For information about general CERT programs, click here to visit FEMA's site. If you live outside the City of Sachse, there are other CERT teams in your area. Click here to find your local CERT team.
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