Homeland Security, Local Law Enforcement Offer Community Emergency Response Training
May 4th, 2010
Community Emergency Response Training (CERT) classes are open to the public and a great opportunity for organized resident groups to learn valuable skills while having some fun. Class activities included practice first aid, team building exercises, extinguishing a fire and culminated on the last day with a mock-disaster. All participants also received a starter emergency kit including a backpack with CERT helmet, goggles, light stick and CERT vest.
On April 26th, 28th and 29th Safe & Sound Community Partners, Community Prosecution Unit Coordinators and local residents participated in the CERT conducted by the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Department, Milwaukee Fire Department and the Department of Homeland Security. Some of the topics covered included disaster preparedness, fire safety, disaster medical triage and operations, search and rescue, incident command systems, terrorism and disaster psychology. The training and practice conducted during the three sessions focused on covering basic skills that are important to know in a disaster when emergency services are not available. The training focused on working as a team to be able to do the greatest good for the greatest number of victims after a disaster, while protecting yourself from becoming another victim.
Lisa Sherman, the Emergency Management Coordinator from the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Management Bureau, organizes and facilitates the trainings. All of the county trainings for 2010 have been completed but public groups, businesses, block watch, neighborhood groups, churches are welcome to call Lisa if they would like to host a training. If you are interest, contact Lisa Sherman at the Sheriff’s office: (414) 525-5770.
