Following a disaster, community members may be on their own for a period of time because of the size of the area affected, lost communications, and impassable roads.

The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program supports local response capability by training volunteers to organize themselves and spontaneous volunteers at the disaster site, to provide immediate assistance to victims, and to collect disaster intelligence to support responders' efforts when they arrive.

In the classroom, participants learn about the hazards they face and ways to prepare. CERT members are taught skills that can be used to help themselves, their loved ones and their neighbors until help arrives.

Local governments, or one of its representatives, sponsor CERT training in the community. Training consists of 20 hours of instruction on topics that include disaster preparedness, fire safety, disaster medical operations, light search and rescue, team organization and disaster psychology. Upon completion of the training, participants are encouraged to continue their involvement by participating in training activities and volunteering for projects that support Springfield Township's disaster preparedness efforts.

CERT class is sponsored by Springfield Township Fire & Police Departments and the Springfield Township Citizen's Police Academy. 

Springfield Township's next CERT class will be on the following dates: 
November 6, 7, 13, 14, 27, 28 

Participants must attend all of the classes. 

Registration deadline is October 31, 2007 

For more information please call Capt. Mark Thurman at 851-3030 or Lt. Randy Miller at 521-7578. 

Click here to download a registration application