THE ANN ARBOR Office of Emergency Management in conjunction with the Washtenaw County Emergency Management Division is accepting applications for the Washtenaw County Community Emergency Response Team training program. The application deadline is Friday, Sept. 12, at 5 p.m.

Weekly training classes for those accepted into the program will be held from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. starting Sept. 23 through Nov. 4, 2014, with final exercise and graduation on Nov. 8. CERT training is required to become a CERT member. Attendance at all classes is required for certificate completion.

The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program educates the team members about disaster preparedness and what kind of hazards may impact our community. The CERT course trains citizens in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations.

Using the training learned in the classroom and during exercises, CERT members can assist others in their neighborhood or workplace following an event when professional responders are not immediately available to help.

CERT members are also used to support local emergency response agencies by taking a more active role in emergency preparedness projects in their community.

To become a CERT member you must:

• Be at least 18 years old.
• Have a valid driver’s license.
• Complete all the requirements for the training courses.
• Attend all classes – it is required for certificate completion.
• Pass an oral interview.

During the course, participants are trained in basic disaster response skills. Classroom and hands-on training will focus on scene assessment, fire safety, emergency medical response, team organization, disaster medical operations, and light search and rescue. Additional topics include local threats, hazards, county and city emergency management initiatives and incident command and terrorism.

Using their training, CERT members can then be called upon to assist following an event when professional responders are not immediately available to help. CERT members also are encouraged to support emergency response agencies by taking a more active role in emergency preparedness projects in their community.

Citizens interested in participating in the Washtenaw County CERT course can find an application on the City of Ann Arbor Police Department website, or call Crime Prevention Specialist Adele El-Ayoubi, ICPS, with the Ann Arbor Police Department at 734.794.6933. A background investigation will be conducted on all applicants, who will then be notified if accepted into the program.