URGENT!!! C.E.R.T. Class Schedule Up-Date

Editorial Note:  

As of 2/27/12, there are still 100 OPENINGS.  Can we fill them?

What is CERT?

Answer:  The Community Emergency Response Team.

1.  The Opportunity.  This is a very active, crucial program designed to help every able citizen play extremely practical roles, together and in cooperation with normal emergency forces, in insuring the safety and survival of themselves -- and those who most matter to them -- in the face of sudden, serious, life-threatening emergencies that can arise, without warning, throughout the territory.  

2.  The Problem.  Surely, it's abundantly clear that no government on this earth can go it alone, to fully protect its citizenry, without the concerned participation of the people it serves.  There are just too many gaps to close, with the scarce resources on hand -- especially when they will be overtaxed during calamities.  


And, CERT is one excellent way to close some of those gaps, that most need closing ... PROPERLY.  Besides, it is a very interesting and fun way to prepare to face down some of these more serious challenges which life throws our way, in its most surprising fashion.

3.  How it works In Pittsburg.  Our City Council takes care of its CERT function, in cooperation with other government entities, through the hard work of its voluntary Community Advisory Commission.   

• These wonderful people, with the fine citizen-teams they have built up, thus far, have been working diligently, over the years, looking out for us -- and should not be expected to keep going it alone, if we can help -- and many of us can, if we only will
• Wouldn't it be great if, whenever you meet a fellow Pittsburger, it's more likely they will be a CERT member, than not?  We'd have a far more secure City, that's for sure -- and we'd all know each other far better.  We're in this same "boat," after all.   (May as well "shoot" for the stars as for the moon.)

4.  If you are over 16-years old, then you and we need you to think seriously about jumping in, with both feet, sooner rather than later.  It takes far less of your sacrifice than you might expect -- to gain lifelong, life-saving tools, especially when you consider the alternatives.

(Tick-Tock!)

5.  NEXT TRAINING OPPORTUNITY.  Below is their schedule for the two March 2012 class series -- and some of the procedures the CERT members follow to pave the way for and assist emergency responders.

Thanks, future fellow team members (and you now better informed and protected citizens)!

Decian Publius
(I'm going to renew my certification next month -- hope to see you there)

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C.E.R.T. Class Schedule UP-Date
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From: The Pittsburg Community Advisory Commission (CAC)


New C.E.R.T. classes will be starting up on Monday March 5, 2012, 6:30 P.M. to 9:45 P.M. at Pittsburg’s Delta Hawaii Mobile Home Park Recreation Hall, located at 875 Stoneman Avenue.  Classes will meet Monday nights for five (5) straight weeks, March 5, 12, 19, 26 & April 5^th.   

Classes in Brentwood start March 8 and follow for five(5) weeks  on Thursday night from 6:30 – 10:00 P.M.  At Brentwood Police Department. 

These classes are FREE of charge and open to any one (16 years or older) to attend.  If you have completed your CERTtraining and would like to sit in to refresh your skills, you are most welcome to attend.  If you know anyone interested in learning what to do in the event of a disaster, please have them call Theresa Miller at 698-7533 or e-mail eastcountycert@aol.com.  

You can also visit our website:  Eastcountycert.webs.com for more information.

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Procedures Review (an excerpt from the training program)

CERT 

WHAT TO DO IF YOU COME UPONE SOMEONE UNCONSCIOUS ON THE FLOOR DURING A SEARCH AND RESCUE ASSIGNMENT:

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Important:  THE BELOW PROCEDURE IS FOR WHEN MANY, MANY PEOPLE NEED ATTENTION.  THE TRADITIONAL, MORE THOROUGH EMERGENCY PROCEDURES APPLY, WHEN VERY FEW PEOPLE ARE INVOLVED..

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Step 1.  At arm’s distance, shake the victim by touching the shoulder and shout, “Can you hear me?” 

Step 2.  If the victim does not or cannot respond, place the palm of one hand on the victim’s forehead.

Step 3.  Place two fingers of the other hand under the victim’s chin and tilt the jaw upward, while tilting the head back slightly.

Step 4.  Place your ear over the victim’s mouth.  Looking toward the victim’s feet, place a hand on the victim’s abdomen.

Step 5.  Look for the chest to rise.

Step 6.  Listen for air exchange.

Step 7.  Feel for abdominal movement.  If not restored repeat steps 1-6

CERT Teams, remember that part of your mission is to do the greatest good for the greatest number of people.  For that reason, if breathing is not restored on the first try using the Head-Tilt/Chin-Lift method, CERT members should try again using the same method.  If breathing cannot be restored on the second try, CERT members must move on to the next victim. CPR is not part of this particular operation.

Step 8. IF the victim IS breathing, check breathing rate.  IF more than 30 breaths a minute, TREAT FOR SHOCK and consider them for IMMEDIATE treatment, critical or “Red Tag”.


IF breathing is less than 30 breaths a minute, check circulation and control bleeding.  Perform the Blanch TEST (Squeeze the victim’s thumb. It should turn white then red in less than two (2) seconds).  IF the test takes more than two (2) seconds, the victim’s probably has internal bleeding.  Victim is in need of IMMEDIATE care, critical, “Red Tag.” 

TREAT VICTIM FOR SHOCK.

Step 9.  Check victim’s mental status.  Ask them a simple command, such as “What is your name?”

IF the victim cannot follow simple commands, TREAT as critical/”Red Tag”.  TREAT for shock.  Raise the feet up above the heart.  Cover to keep victim warm, including under the victim’s body.
IF the victim can follow simple commands and everything else checks out okay, the victim would be DELAYED or “Yellow Tag” for treatment.  The victim is injured, but not critical and passed the three tests – Breathing, Good Pulse and Mentally Alert.