The CERT Basic Training Course is the pathway to becoming a CERT member in Florence County. Although the course is intended to train potential CERT members, it is open to any and all who wish to learn more about protecting themselves, their families, their friends and neighborhoods during a manmade or natural disaster.
Florence County Emergency Management has adopted this course from the National CERT Program which is provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) through the Department of Homeland Security.
The course is used to teach the basics of disaster preparedness, fire safety, utility controls, disaster medical, light search and rescue, CERT organization, disaster psychology and terrorism to individuals of a variety of backgrounds who wish to learn more about preparedness. There are no prerequisites or prior training required before taking this course.
The course is only open to those over the age of eighteen (18). An injury wavier must be signed by all course participants prior to participating in any training activities.
Course outline:
Unit 1: Disaster Preparedness
Unit 2: Fire Safety and Utility Control
Unit 3: Disaster Medical Operations Part 1
Unit 4: Disaster Medical Operations Part 2
Unit 5: Light Search and Rescue Operations
Unit 6: CERT Organization
Unit 7: Disaster Psychology
Unit 8: Terrorism in CERT
Unit 9: Course Review, Final Exam and Disaster Simulation
A digital copy of the CERT Basic Training course manual will be provided to every student who participates in the course. Participants can also download a copy of the manual at http://www.fema.gov/training-materials . Hard copies of the manual will be made available to students while they are attending the course.
All personal protective equipment and other items needed for the course will be provided by Florence County Emergency Management and partnering organizations. Materials provided in class are NOT to be taken home by participants. If participants would like more information on how they can purchase their own personal equipment they can ask the CERT Program Manager.
To learn more about the basic training course or to learn when the next course will be made available contact Public Education/Information Officer Andrew Golden at 843-665-7255.