How Are Members of The Team Trained?
- Students attend seven (7) weekly classes given by local
emergency response and emergency management instructors,
(a detailed description of each module follows this
summary). The American Red Cross course Introduction
to Disaster Services should also be scheduled as an
optional part of the CERT curriculum.
- Students are grouped into teams (preferably 5 or 6 in
each team) in the first class and complete the course as
a unit.
- Each class lasts for two and one half (2 1/2) hours each
week and reading assignments are given at the end of each
class.
- Lecture is supported by video, slides, and overhead
projected materials. Lecture time gives way to practical,
tabletop, and team building exercises wherever possible.
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- A disaster simulation is staged to allow students to
apply their newly acquired skills in a realistic
environment with multiple casualties.
Private study can be accomplished by using the FEMA
Home Study courses provided by most state emergency
management offices.
Advanced Study is available to those graduates
interested in getting better trained in a specific area.
These areas of study would be taught by personnel from
the various departments and associated agencies that
normally respond to disastrous events.