The local Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) is seeking volunteers who want to actively contribute to their community in times of need. The Cobb County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) announced it has scheduled three separate CERT training opportunities for September, October, and November. As reported by Cobb County Communications, these sessions are pivotal in preparing individuals to handle disaster situations effectively.
The trainings are set to occur on consecutive Saturdays and each session is to run from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., inclusive of a lunch break. Specifically, the dates for the upcoming training are September 7, September 14, and September 21; October 5, October 12, and October 19; and November 2, November 9, and November 16. This free training requires interested parties to rapidly submit an online application, followed by an email with a photo of their driver’s license to indicate their preferred month for attendance.
Topics covered during the CERT training will range from disaster awareness to terrorism awareness, encompassing practical skills like fire and utility safety, medical aid, search and rescue, disaster organization, and even disaster psychology. Completing the training provides more than just knowledge; as outlined by Cobb County Communications, it is an act of empowerment, endowing graduates with a certificate of completion, a backpack with basic supplies, and further information on volunteer opportunities within the county.
Volunteering post-training does not merely add to your skill set but also establishes valuable connections that streamline the process to promptly respond to disasters, bypassing bureaucratic delays. The county confirms that CERT Training is an essential prerequisite for anyone aiming to join any Cobb EMA Volunteer Teams, which include roles such as Volunteer Administrative Support, Damage Assessment, Auxiliary Communications, or Search and Rescue Teams. Interested individuals are encouraged to go online and secure a place in the 2024 C.E.R.T. Training programs while still available.
