Fall basic CERT classes begin next week

The 2022 Fall Basic CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) class begins next week.

 The Basic CERT course is a free 30-hour course. To receive a certificate, both classroom and hands-on training must be completed.

The class will be held at the Parker County Office of Emergency Services facility located at 215 Trinity Street in Weatherford (on the north side of the Weatherford Farmer’s Market).

Class dates are:

• Thursday, Oct 6 — 6:30 - 9:30 pm
• Saturday, Oct 8 — 9 am - 5 pm
• Thursday, Oct 13 — 6:30 – 9:30 pm
• Saturday, Oct 15 — 9 am – 5 pm
• Thursday, Oct 20 — 6:30 – 9:30 pm
• Saturday, Oct 22 — 9 am – 5 pm

The course is divided into units covering the following topics:

Disaster Preparedness

• Community Preparedness
• Hazards and their potential impact
• Home and Workplace preparedness
• Reducing the impact of Hazards
• Protection for disaster workers

Fire Safety and Utility Controls

• Fire chemistry
• Reducing Fire Hazards in the Home and Workplace
• Hazardous Materials
• How to Size-up a situation
• Fire Suppression Safety/how to use a fire extinguisher

Disaster Medical Operations, part 1

• Treating Life-Threatening Conditions
• Triage

Disaster Medical Operations, part 2

• Public Health Considerations
• Functions of Disaster Medical Operations
• Establishing Medical Treatment Areas
• Conducting Head-to-Toe Assessments
• Treating Burns
• Wound Care
• Treating Fractures, Dislocations, Sprains, and Strains
• Nasal Injuries
• Treating Cold-related/Heat-related injuries
• Bites and Stings

Light Search and Rescue

• Safety During Search and Rescue Operations
• Conducting Interior and Exterior Search Operations
• Conducting Rescue Operations

CERT Organization/Incident Command

• Incident Command/Mobilization
• Span of Control
• Documentation

Disaster Psychology

• Disaster Trauma
• Team Well-Being
• Working with Survivors’ Trauma

CERT and Terrorism

• What is Terrorism?
• Terrorist Targets/ Weapons
• CBRNE Indicators
• Preparing at Home, Work, and in Your Neighborhood

CPR/AED

• Stop the Bleed
• Wrap up, Final Exam, and Disaster Exercise

Those who are interested in signing up for this course should respond to davidinelson@uwmail.com. Paperwork will be completed during the first class. Bring pen and paper; the book and other training supplies will be provided.