Business Standard CERT Basic Course

OTHER COURSE DESCRIPTIONS:  ACCELERATED  FEMA STANDARD

The CERT basic training course for businesses is usually delivered by FEMA or State Certified Instructors in 9 sessions, over three 8 hour days.  The cost per person for the class is typically $53.00 and varies depending on sponsorships and materials offered by Instructors.  Costs typically include; training manuals, individual safety equipment (CERT hard hat, vest, gloves, goggles, and dust mask), handouts and occasional team cache starter kits.  The CERT basic training and instructor manuals may be downloaded for FREE directly from Citizen Corps CERT Site.

This class is usually open to all past CERT trained Employees who wish to update their skills.  The Introduction includes CERT registration forms and liability waivers (for some classes).

The training consists of the following:

FIRST DAY:
Session I, INTRODUCTION & DISASTER PREPAREDNESS:

Introduction begins with the completion of paperwork to insure students are properly registered.  The remainder of the session addresses hazards to which people are vulnerable in their community.  Materials cover actions that participants and their families take before, during, and after a disaster.  As the session progresses, the instructor begins to explore an expanded response role for civilians in that they should begin to consider themselves disaster workers.  Since they will want to help their family members and neighbors, this training can help them operate in a safe and appropriate manner.  The CERT concept and organization are discussed as well as applicable laws governing volunteers in that jurisdiction.

Session II, DISASTER FIRE SUPPRESSION:

CERT personal safety equipment is distributed, the instructor briefly covers fire chemistry, hazardous materials, fire hazards, and fire suppression strategies.  However, the thrust of this session is the safe use of fire extinguishers, sizing up the situation, controlling utilities, and extinguishing a small fire.  A practical session provides hands on practice with "Fire Pans" while municipal firefighters standby for safety.

Session III, DISASTER MEDICAL OPERATIONS PART I:

Participants practice diagnosing and treating airway obstruction, bleeding, and shock by using simple triage and rapid treatment techniques.

SECOND DAY:

Session IV, DISASTER MEDICAL OPERATIONS, PART II:

Covers evaluating patients by doing a head to toe assessment, establishing a medical treatment area, performing basic first aid, and practicing in a safe and sanitary manner.

Session V, LIGHT SEARCH AND RESCUE OPERATIONS:

Participants learn about search and rescue planning, size-up, search techniques, rescue techniques, and most important, rescuer safety.

Session VI & VII, DISASTER PSYCHOLOGY AND TEAM ORGANIZATION:

Covers signs and symptoms that might be experienced by the disaster victim and worker. It addresses CERT organization and management principles and the need for documentation.

THIRD DAY:

Session VIII, TERRORISM AND CERT, REVIEW AND DISASTER SIMULATION:

Covers CERT principles as related to terrorist incidents, defines terrorism and other terms, helps identify possible targets in communities and actions to take in the event of an incident.  Also includes sheltering in place and methods to avoid destroying evidence. Participants review their answers from a take home examination.  Finally, they practice the skills that they have learned during the previous seven sessions in a disaster simulation.

Session IX, COMPANY SPECIFIC RESPONSE PLANS:

Participants review the company's emergency plans and evacuation routes.

During each session participants are required to bring safety equipment that was issued in the second session (gloves, goggles, mask, helmet and vest).  Each student will be given necessary disaster supplies (bandages, dressings, etc.) to be used during the session.  Participants are encouraged to build a disaster response kit of items that they will need during a disaster at work.

Suggested Schedule:
First Day
8:00 a - 10:00 a
Session 1 Introduction & Disaster Preparedness
10:00 a - 12:00 p Session 2 Disaster Fire Suppression
12:00 p - 1:00 p lunch break
1:00 p - 3:00 p Session 3 Disaster Medical Operations 1
3:00 p - 5:00 p Session 4 Disaster Medical Operations 2
Second Day
8:00 a - 10:00 a Session 5 Light Search and Rescue Operations
10:00 a - 12:00 p Session 6 & 7 Disaster Psychology and Team Organization
12:00 p - 1:00 p lunch break
1:00 p - 5:00 p Session 8 Terrorism and CERT, Session 9 Mock Disaster Drill
Third Day
8:00 a - 12:00 p Session 10 Company Specific EOCs and ICS
12:00 p - 1:00 p lunch break
1:00 p - 5:00 p Session 10 Practical Exercises