Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)

A CERT member is an individual who has special skills useful in volunteer work before and during an emergency or disaster, has volunteered those skills in advance, has completed a course of basic skills training has been certified by the Chief of Police and Chief of Fire Services of the City of Lacy Lakeview.

Training is held at the Lacy Lakeview Community Center, 505 East Craven on Thursday evenings for eight weeks and end with an actual hands-on scenario. Class typically begins at 6:30 p.m. and is three hours each night. The final scenario is three to four hours. Complete the CERT application and bring to the Lacy Lakeview Police Department at 503 E. Craven for processing.

Purpose

The purpose of the Lacy Lakeview Community Emergency Response Team Program is to establish a cadre of specially trained volunteers, referred to as “CERT members,” to provide manpower to augment emergency response personnel.

Join Lacy Lakeview’s CERT

• Application: CERT application
• Security Clearance – A background investigation is conducted and maintained on all CERT members. A driver’s license check and criminal history check will be conducted. To become a CERT Member, the applicant shall complete an application and pass all security requirements.
• Residence Requirement – The applicant shall live in McLennan County and in or near the City of Lacy Lakeview.
• Training Requirements – Members must be willing to devote themselves to attend the initial training and monthly training afterwards.

Training Requirements

It shall be a requirement of all applicants to complete the training listed below:

• Disaster Preparedness
• Fire Safety
• Disaster Medical Operations
• Light Search and Rescue Operations
• CERT Organization
• Disaster Psychology
• Terrorism and CERT
• Course Review and Disaster Simulation

Training is typically conducted from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursdays for eight weeks at the Civic Center on E. Craven Avenue. The Disaster Simulation is conducted in the City of Lacy Lakeview and is designed to be as realistic as possible.

Training continues after the initial CERT academy. The City of Lacy Lakeview also coordinates monthly training exercises with the City of Waco CERT. Further training is provided to develop skills and enhance each member’s ability to remain prepared.

Participation

A CERT Member will be required to participate in functions when called upon. Excessive absenteeism may cause the removal from the program. When called upon, the CERT Member is charged with the responsibility of responding to assist the City of Lacy Lakeview in emergency and non-emergency events. CERT Members will be required to meet monthly for ongoing training. A member must make 75% of all meetings and events to remain in good standing. CERT Members will also be involved with local drills and exercises. They will serve upon request at any events hosted by the City of Lacy Lakeview.

History

The CERT concept was developed and implemented by the City of Los Angeles Fire Department in 1985. They recognized that citizens would very likely be on their own during the early stages of a catastrophic disaster. Accordingly, the LAFD decided that some basic training in disaster survival and rescue skills would improve the ability of citizens to survive until responders or other assistance could arrive. The Whittier Narrows earthquake in 1987 underscored the areawide threat of a major disaster in California. Further, it confirmed the need for training civilians to meet immediate post-disaster needs.

The training program that the LAFD initiated proved to be so beneficial that the Federal Emergency management Agency felt that the concept and the program should be made available to communities nationwide. In 1994, the Emergency Management Institute, in cooperation with the LAFD, expanded the CERT materials to make the applicable to all hazards.

In 2003, President George W. Bush asked all Americans to volunteer in service to their country. The Citizen Corps program was created to harness the power of every individual through education, training and volunteer service to make communities safer, stronger and better prepared to respond to the threats of terrorism, crime, public health issues and disasters of all kinds. CERT was selected as one of the primary programs offered to the American public to meet this challenge. In any major disaster or crisis, historically, many types of individuals have been quick to volunteer their special services and skill to meet the common need.

The City of Lacy Lakeview established a CERT program in 2004. The program is co-sponsored by the Heart of Texas Council of Governments. Each program is basically developed to meet the needs of their community. In Lacy Lakeview, volunteer members will work within the City of Lacy Lakeview Emergency Management Office. Fire Chief Patty Faulkner is the coordinator.