If you think you can dial 911 and get help immediately after a disaster, go back to sleep. You’re dreaming… First responders will not be able to get to everyone right away. They will quickly be overwhelmed with emergency situations and calls. In a disaster situation, many people will be cut off from outside help and will be required to be self-reliant and will need to be able to help others. I read somewhere that after the 1985 Mexico City earthquake, volunteers saved almost 800 people. Sadly, approximately 100 people died while trying to save others. I truly believe that most of those 100 people would still be alive today if they were trained.
I have mentioned CERT before, but I really feel like I need to mention it more!!!
A lot of people might think of me as a "worry wart". In a way that is true. I do worry about what "might" happen...I worry about what I will do when I am involved in an emergency or disaster. I worry about my family being safe, and I worry about being able to help those around me. I decided a long time ago that I needed to be prepared for the inevitable "poop hittin' the fan" moment.
One big part of preparedness is mental. At work, I signed up for the free first aid and CPR courses. Those were great, but I needed more information. I wanted to know what to do before, during, and after an emergency occurs.
One day I saw a flyer posted on the bulletin board that introduced me to the Community Emergency Response Team - it was being implemented at my workplace. This was exactly what I needed!
CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) is made up of community members who are trained to take care of themselves and their community in the aftermath of a major disaster, when first responders are overwhelmed or unable to respond because of communication or transportation difficulties.
In an emergency, these CERT-trained residents first ensure the safety of themselves and their families. They can then work outward to the neighborhood or office and beyond until first responders arrive. Finally, they can assist first-response personnel as directed.
- Prepare for the hazards that threaten their communities.
- Locate and turn off utilities.
- Extinguish small fires.
- Identify hazardous materials situations.
- Triage and treat victims.
- Set up a medical treatment area.
- Conduct searches and rescues in lightly and moderately damaged structures.
- Understand the psychological impact of a disaster on themselves and others.
- Organize CERT members and spontaneous volunteers for an effective and safe response.
I highly recommend that you find a CERT program near you. The training is awesome. I am doing everything I can to get more people in my little town involved. I figure the more that people are trained around me, the better chances my family has of surviving a disaster.
Check it out - http://www.citizencorps.gov/cert/
Doing the Greatest Good for the Greatest Number
0 comments:
Post a Comment