CERT Search & Rescue Team
When the CERT program was first developed, the need for basic search and rescue skills was recognized and incorporated into the curriculum. Whether it is a large scale disaster, a missing child, or a tent collapse at a county fair, basic search and rescue can be the difference between a safe rescue and adding additional victims to the statistics. In the earthquakes in Mexico several years ago, more people were injured trying to help others than were actually injured during the earthquake. Be a part of the solution not part of the problem.
The CERT program teaches the overall function of search and rescue within the full scope of emergency response along with the basic techniques for conducting a search and rescue in the field in the scope of CERT. Damage assessment, utility shut off, and cribbing are just a few of the useful skills you will learn. You will be taught how to enter, when to enter, and more importantly when not to enter a structure. As with all aspects of the CERT program, your safety is your greatest concern at all times. You will be taught how to organize a search of numerous structures and how to mark each individual structure so first responders can identify what has been done.
The search and rescue function of the CERT program is a fundamental aspect of the overall program. Imagine the situation where a microburst has gone through your small cul-de-sac neighborhood of several homes. After you secure your own family and home, you venture out to assist your neighbors. At first glance you realize there is damage to numerous homes. As your fellow neighbors join you, you organize them in teams of 2 to systematically search each home. They will be searching for injured individuals, turning off utilities, assessing structural damage, and marking each home as appropriate. When the local fire department arrives at your street, you can give them a full report of the number of injuries, amount of damage to structures, and an informed concise assessment of the situation. You have saved your first responders valuable time and resources in a time which both are in short supply. You have contributed to the solution, not added to the problem.
"Since we typically have volunteers who want to help on searches, having volunteers who have some knowledge of what we do would be great", says Bob Allum, Commander of the Piedmont Search and Rescue (PSAR) group out of Richmond. He goes on to say a volunteer should be fit enough and have the right gear before joining a long term search and rescue event. The CERT backpacks have the right gear and will be made available to volunteers if deployed.
The Albemarle County Sheriffs Office (ACSO) is responsible for all local search and rescue events. The ACSO has long supported the CERT Program and has taught a basic "Field Qualified" course for the local CERT to make sure that those interested in responding locally can assist if needed. Furthermore, the former Sheriff required all deputies to attend a dedicated CERT course.
Three CERT members have gone on to the take the Virginia Department of Emergency Management's (VDEM course to be certified as a Field Team Member (FTM) in Search and Rescue for the State of Virginia and can currently be deployed with PSAR anywhere in the Mid-Atlantic region. Mr. Allum is certified as a Type I Incident Commander (IC) which is the highest designation in this field and we are proud to have him as a resource in our area.
The CERT program can teach you the basics and if you wish you can continue your education by contacting VDEM for a listing of additional classes offered throughout the Commonwealth. You can also contact Piedmont Search and Rescue.
As with the entire CERT program, you can use what you learn for your own safety and those around you or you can broaden your range to assist your community. You can even build on what you learn in CERT as a building block to additional certifications and adventures.