Branson Fire & Rescue would like to invite area community members to a “Community Emergency Response Team” (CERT) training program, starting September 3, 2019, to learn how to be better prepared during a disaster. CERT training is an eight-week program that focuses on teaching community members basic skills related to disaster responses such as fire and rescue operations, basic search and rescue, and disaster preparedness.
Following a disaster, emergency response agencies like fire, police and ambulance crews may be overwhelmed with calls and unable to meet the high volume of demand for services. CERT trained community members can provide immediate assistance in their neighborhood until emergency responders arrive.
The City of Branson’s Fire & Rescue team has offered this federally developed program for more than 15 years and has successfully utilized CERT members at several large events and local disasters. The City even deployed a team of 12 CERT members to Joplin following the devastating EF5 tornado to assist in the search for tornado victims.
“The knowledge that you will get from this training program is invaluable and could save lives. The skills you will gain will not only help you protect your own family, but you will have what it takes to help your neighbors and community if disaster strikes,” said Branson Fire Chief, Ted Martin.
The training will take place at the Branson Fire Department’s training center located on the campus of Ball Parks of America, starting Tuesday, September 3, 2019. The training will be held on Tuesday nights for eight weeks from 6-9 p.m.
This training is free to local community members. To register for this program, please contact Branson Fire & Rescue at (417) 243-2780. You can read more about CERT here: http://bransonmo.gov/166/Emergency-Management-Division#CERT