Disaster Preparedness
On November 14 at noon at the Baywood Country Club Cliff VanCott, McKinleyville Emergency Response Team Leader for McKinleyville CERT will discuss the history and organization of CERT in Humboldt County, describe the various activities CERT members have accomplished in the past, and explore how we can be better prepared for disasters in the future. This event is part of the Retired Faculty and Staff Association luncheon series at Cal Poly Humboldt, or ERFSA.
The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) educates volunteers about disaster preparedness for the hazards that may impact our area. It provides training in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations. CERT offers a nationwide approach to the organization and training of local volunteers can rely on during disaster situations. Their skills and knowledge will assist professional First Responders in times of overwhelming need.
Since its inception, Cliff has been the Team Leader for McKinleyville CERT. He is the primary contact between the team and their sponsors, the Humboldt County Office of Emergency Services. He sets agendas and leads CERT meetings. He creates and facilitates much of the training for the team and others. He has successfully written two grants for the team providing funding for medical, security, and radio supplies. As a FEMA-certified Instructor, he has assisted in training new CERT team members in Willow Creek, Ferndale, Arcata, Blue Lake, Trinidad, Bridgeville, and Rio Dell. He also helps with training exercises involving other CERT teams with topics of traffic and crowd management, radio communications, and medical triage. Additionally, CERT conducts seminars for the general public in emergency preparedness and disaster awareness. When a disaster strikes, professional First Responders such as Firefighters, Police, and Emergency Medical Services will be overwhelmed and likely unavailable. CERT members, with their specialized training in light firefighting, search and rescue, medical aid, and more can help the local community respond effectively to the chaos by augmenting the Professional First Responders and filling in gaps. Whether they are helping gather and treat wounded neighbors, providing information to the county to prioritize resources, helping communicate essential information, or distributing food, water, and other supplies to those in need.
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