Branson Fire & Rescue would like to invite area residents to a “Community Emergency Response Team” (CERT) training program to learn how to be better prepared during a disaster. CERT is an eight-week program that focuses on teaching community members basic skills related to disaster responses such as fire and rescue operations, basic search and rescue, disaster psychology, team organization and disaster preparedness.
CERT training teaches community members how to be ready to help in times of disaster as seen most recently in our local community during the flooding incidents and the EF2 tornado that traveled along West Highway 76 and into the downtown area in 2012. Following a disaster, emergency response agencies like fire, police, and ambulance crews may be overwhelmed with calls and unable to meet the high volume of demand for services. CERT trained community members can provide immediate assistance in their neighborhood until emergency responders arrive.
The City of Branson has successfully presented this federally developed program in the past and has utilized community CERT member’s at large events, local disasters, and even deployed a team of 12 citizens to Joplin following the devastating EF5 tornado to assist in the search for tornado victims.
“Community members with this training will be better prepared to help and sustain their family and neighbors in the event of a disaster incident,” said Branson Fire Chief, Ted Martin.
The training will take place at the fire department’s training center located on the campus of Ball Parks of America starting September 4, 2018. The training will be held on Tuesday nights for eight weeks from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
This training is free to local community members. To register for this program, please contact Branson Fire & Rescue at (417) 243-2780. You can read more about CERT here: http://bransonmo.gov/166/Emergency-Management-Division#CERT