Volunteer Program Highlight: Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)
The CERT program is for people who are interested in volunteering to support public safety and provide assistance when called upon in response to local disasters or events.
CERT is an ongoing volunteer program, with the goal after training for Mendota Heights CERT members to assume emergency response leadership, aided by Mendota Heights Police and Fire. Participants can provide volunteer support when called upon for assistance with emergencies and community events, and are willing to participate in and conduct continuing education for emergency preparedness.
The CERT volunteers can be called out for emergency responses in Mendota Heights as well as to support our surrounding community. CERT volunteers practice their skills year round, either in trainings or in community events where they exercise some of their trainings. These volunteers help with community emergency plans, neighborhood exercises, preparedness outreach, fire safety education, and workplace safety.
Skills that CERT members are training in include:
- Identifying and anticipating hazards
- Reducing fire hazards in the home and workplace
- Extinguishing small fires
- Assisting emergency responders
- Conducting light search and rescue
- Setting up medical treatment areas
- Applying basic medical techniques
- Helping to reduce survivor stress