Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)

The Oberlin CERT program is a component of the Lorain County CERT program. The original CERT program is part of the national Citizens Corps effort to incorporate and utilize volunteers in the community. CERT members are trained in basic response techniques in order to assist local citizens and first responders in disaster or emergency situations.

The mission of the CERT program is to rapidly respond as a team to assist communities in a large-scale emergency or disaster.

The objectives of the CERT program are to establish and maintain teams of qualified and trained individuals who can execute the following duties when requested:

• Assist local emergency services and emergency management officials with trained individuals when requested.
• Assist in victim triage and rescue.
• Assist in sheltering, mass feeding and other support function staffing if requested.
• Integrate operations with other CERT teams as required.

The CERT teams are designed to provide assistance during a long-term incident. Teams are also capable of providing direct support to communities and/or private agencies within the scope of their training. The program enables the Incident Commander to use CERT teams in non-critical functions, allowing first responders to be used in critical areas. In a large-scale emergency or disaster where the first responder system is overwhelmed or delayed, CERT team members will provide assistance in their homes, neighborhoods, and local communities until first responders arrive.

All team members are required to successfully complete the 20-hour basic CERT training.

Continuing education topics for all CERT members will be scheduled. Members must attend these sessions to maintain their membership in the CERT program. Additional specialized training will be periodically scheduled for individuals that may have specific interests.

How to join CERT

If you want to become more informed and better prepared to cope with a major disaster, are willing to help yourself and, in turn, help your neighbors when immediate emergency services are not readily available, join your fellow neighbors and citizens in a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) class.

Oberlin Fire will offer the following subjects in a seven-week course, usually scheduled during evenings from 6:30 to 9:30 PM at the Oberlin Fire Department.  Classes are scheduled based on the level of interest.

Subjects covered are Disaster Preparedness, Disaster Fire Suppression, Disaster Medical (triage, head-to-toe patient assessment, treatment for burns, lacerations, fractures, sprains and other injuries), Light Search & Rescue, Disaster Psychology and Team Organization, and Terrorism.

This class is endorsed and supported by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and endorsed by the State of Ohio Emergency Management, and Lorain County Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security. 

If you are interested in a future class, please call the CERT Coordinator at 329-5117 for further information or to register.  Become a proactive member of your community and be prepared for emergencies.