The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) has grown by 17 with the completion of the latest class. Ready to assist the community in an emergency are (L-R, front) Instructor Jim Wiinanen, Jerry Kohl, Instructor BJ Kohlstedt, Instructor Tyler Howell. (Others participants not in order) Ramona Asher, John Bottger, Kristine Bottorff, John Ceryes, Jaye Clearwater, Hillary Freeman, Sandy Holcomb, Brad and Kathy Johnson, Mike Keyport, Jerry Kohl, Tina Krauz, Al MacDonald, Dick Parker, Joseph and Mary Routh.
In February 17 emergency responders rushed to offer aid in a crisis—a collapsed structure. The emergency responders provided triage, basic medical care, fire suppression and extrication. Why didn’t it make the headlines? Because it was the final test for the people who underwent the 2012 Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training in northeastern Minnesota.
Emergency managers for Lake and Cook County and Grand Portage sponsored the 20-hour course between January 14 and February 11. Because of the large geographic area covered, many of the classes took place using interactive television (ITV) from three different sites.
The CERT program educates people about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations. The CERT material was developed by the Los Angeles City Fire Department and adopted by the Federal Emergency Management Agency in 1993. The CERT manual contains basic and straightforward material that has been accepted by those using it as the standard for training.
In the 20-hour course, CERT members learned basic fire suppression and extrication techniques, medical triage and medical care. Here, they practice their new skills on a “victim” in the final exercise.
Using the training learned in the classroom and during exercises, 17 more members in our region are now trained to assist others in their neighborhood or workplace following an event when professional responders are not immediately available to help. CERT members also are encouraged to support emergency response agencies by taking a more active role in emergency preparedness projects in their community. “It’s a very beneficial program for the community,” commented participant
John Ceryes. “The classes were laid out and presented in a very professional and useful manner.”
Saturday’s final session was a disaster exercise including medical emergencies, small fire response and collapsed structure extrication. “Victims” for the February 11 final exercise included manikins and citizen volunteers Mark and Sue Falk and Judie Johnson.
The CERT program was made possible with support from a FEMA Citizen Corps Program grant and leadership from Jim Wiinanen, Cook County Emergency Management Director; BJ Kohlstedt, Lake County Emergency Management Director; and Judie Johnson and Tyler Howell, volunteer CERT instructors.
“I really learned a lot and encourage others to take the class,” wrote Tina Krauz.
“Thanks for all your teaching and making us into CERTs,” said Sandy Holcomb of Silver Bay. I enjoyed it all.”
Instructor BJ Kohlstedt said, “We thank Sandy and others who attended classes, practiced skills, studied student manuals, and spent two hours responding to Saturday’s mock drill.”
Another course is being planned for this fall. For more information, contact Jim Wiinanen at 218-387-3059 or jim. wiinanen@co.cook.mn.us, or BJ Kohlstedt at 218-226-4444 or bj.kohlstedt@co.lake. mn.us.
New CERT members
Ramona Asher
John Bottger
Kristine Bottorff
John Ceryes
Jaye Clearwater
Hillary Freeman
Sandy Holcomb
Brad and Kathy Johnson
Mike Keyport
Jerry Kohl
Tina Krauz
Al MacDonald
Dick Parker
Joseph and Mary Routh
Kathleen Siesennop
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