MaverickNH
NES Member
I did a 20hr FEMA CERT Basic course in Nashua NH 3-5 May 2019 (3hr Fr, 9hr Sat, 8hr Sun) Community Emergency Response Team | Ready.gov
The course was quite interesting, based on mass casualty triage and pre-evacuation treatment by non-professional community volunteers. It was pretty basic and was more a preparation for further training for those that choose to join as a CERT member than of significant utility in an actual disaster. If anything, it encourages attendees to have enough preps at home so they don’t need a rescue for themselves and their families within 72hr. It seems FEMA has pretty much admitted that 5-7 days are the new minimum based on past performance, but even getting a small percentage of the public to be self-sufficient for 3 days would be a marvel.
The upside is that CERT members are actually “credentialed” as responders with liability insurance and (limited) workman’s comp if injured on a formal CERT activation. I’ll join the Nashua & Bedford, NH groups to further explore activities and training.
As I work in Boston (Southie) I asked if they have a CERT. The coordinators said no, they have SCREWD - you’re pretty much on your own in case of emergency. Somehow, I knew that was the case before I asked...
The course was quite interesting, based on mass casualty triage and pre-evacuation treatment by non-professional community volunteers. It was pretty basic and was more a preparation for further training for those that choose to join as a CERT member than of significant utility in an actual disaster. If anything, it encourages attendees to have enough preps at home so they don’t need a rescue for themselves and their families within 72hr. It seems FEMA has pretty much admitted that 5-7 days are the new minimum based on past performance, but even getting a small percentage of the public to be self-sufficient for 3 days would be a marvel.
The upside is that CERT members are actually “credentialed” as responders with liability insurance and (limited) workman’s comp if injured on a formal CERT activation. I’ll join the Nashua & Bedford, NH groups to further explore activities and training.
As I work in Boston (Southie) I asked if they have a CERT. The coordinators said no, they have SCREWD - you’re pretty much on your own in case of emergency. Somehow, I knew that was the case before I asked...