In the aftermath of Sept. 11, the Bush Administration sent out a call to communities encouraging them to train average citizens in emergency response in case of a large-scale disaster such as a tornado, hurricane or terrorist attack.
As a result, a number of Community Emergency Response Teams (CERTs) have sprung up in cities throughout the country. During the month of February, 15 local volunteers participated in CERT training at the Bemidji Fire Hall that could eventually lead to the formation of a formal CERT in the city of Bemidji.
The group met twice a week to learn some of the basics of emergency response such as first aid, triage, light search-and-rescue and fire suppression. Bemidji firefighter Trent Eineichner conducted the 20-hour course.
"CERTs help with community preparedness in the event of an emergency," Eineichner said.
He noted that less than 1 percent of United States' citizens are employed in emergency services, which could result in serious problems if the nation or community is faced with a major disaster.
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"CERT is designed so that when emergency services are taxed beyond capacity, volunteers can step in and assist," he said.
He added that CERTs do not serve as a substitute for medics or law enforcement personnel, but rather to help alleviate some of the panic and confusion while professionals are tending to the situation.
"We teach them that their primary concern (in an emergency) is to take care of themselves, their family and their neighbors," Eineichner said.
The first CERT was formed 20 years ago in Los Angeles as a way to prepare average citizens to assist in the wake of an earthquake. Now CERTs have formed in all 56 U.S. states and territories. The Department of Homeland Security hopes to double the amount of CERT volunteers to 400,000 within the next two years.
Eineichner added that schools in Colorado have started teaching Teen SERT (with an "S" for "school" rather than a "C" for "community") in 10th grade health classes as a way to prepare teenagers to be ready to assist in an emergency situation.
On Feb. 27, the Bemidji area CERT volunteers put their instruction into action through a series of hands-on drills. Volunteers practiced extracting pin victims, CPR and other first aid, and triage - which consisted of sorting through victims to determine who was in need of immediate help. Members of the Bemidji Fire Explorers, an organization for teenagers interested in pursuing a career in firefighting, acted as victims during the drills.
Jim Hannigan, a seven-year volunteer with the Bemidji Citizens Patrol, participated in the CERT training. He said the hands-on drills were a good way to see how to use the information they learned through lectures and Power Point presentations.
"It made us reflect on what we learned," he said. "We saw what's really involved. You get a better sense of what to do in a real disaster or emergency."
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Bemidji State University freshman Cassie Hofich said the course will help prepare her for a future career in criminal justice. However, she said the CERT training program is something anyone can participate in.
"Basically, I'm building up my background to help in any way I can," she said. "But I think it's good for people of all ages. It's real practical information that everyone can use to help out their public services in case something happens."
Eineichner hopes to conduct another CERT training course in the near future. He said that an official Bemidji CERT might be formed after a few more groups go through the training.
"We're looking at some funding options to get a class or two going," he said, adding that the February CERT course was funded through a grant. "Hopefully we can get more citizens to show interest in the program."
For more information or to express interest in participating in a future CERT course, contact Eineichner at the fire hall at 751-8001.
