Program Overview
The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program, hosted by Ventura County Community College District (VCCCD) in partnership with the Ventura County Fire Department, provides comprehensive disaster preparedness training for community members. CERT is designed to equip volunteers with essential skills for responding to various emergencies, such as wildfires, earthquakes, and floods, which are common in Ventura County. This 24-hour, hands-on training program covers a range of fundamental disaster response skills, including fire safety, team organization, hazard awareness, and medical operations. Graduates of the program receive a CERT start-up pack with safety gear, as well as a certificate of completion.
Training Curriculum
The CERT program consists of seven classes, each focusing on a specific area of disaster response:
- Earthquake Preparedness
Participants learn about earthquake risks, preparedness steps, and protective actions to take during and after a seismic event. - Disaster Fire Suppression
Basic fire safety skills, including how to safely suppress small fires and understand fire behavior, are taught in this class. - Disaster Medical Operations – Part 1
This session covers the fundamentals of emergency medical response, including patient assessment and basic first aid techniques. - Disaster Medical Operations – Part 2
Building on the previous class, participants learn advanced techniques for handling multiple victims, including triage and treatment prioritization. - Basic Search and Rescue
Skills for safely searching for and rescuing victims in various disaster scenarios are covered, focusing on safe and effective techniques. - Team Organization and Management
This class focuses on organizing and leading a team in disaster response, emphasizing effective communication and resource management. - Course Review and Simulation
The program concludes with a comprehensive review and a simulated disaster scenario, allowing participants to apply their skills in a realistic setting.
My Experience
Participating in the CERT program gave me practical experience in disaster preparedness and response, enabling me to gain valuable skills that extend beyond the classroom. The training emphasized teamwork, communication, and leadership in emergency situations, which are skills that I can bring back to my role at Ventura College. Additionally, the hands-on approach and realistic simulation exercises reinforced my ability to remain calm and act efficiently during crises.
