Your community needs your help. The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program trains volunteers to assist their communities when a disastrous event overwhelms or delays the community’s professional response. Become a member by contacting the City of Salem Fire Department’s Emergency Manager.
CERT Members
CERT members can assist others by applying the basic response and organizational skills that they learn during training. These skills can help save and sustain lives following a disaster until help arrives.
CERT skills also apply to daily emergencies.
In a 21-hour course, response team members are trained to take care of themselves and help others in their communities for the first three days following a disaster. This is when debris-clogged or damaged roads, disrupted communications, or a high volume of calls may prevent access by emergency response personnel.
CERT members maintain and refine their skills by participating in exercises and activities. They can attend supplemental training opportunities offered by the sponsoring agency and others to increase their skills.
Finally,
CERT members can volunteer for projects that improve community emergency preparedness.