Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)
Welcome to the Daisy Mountain Fire & Medical CERT program.
The Daisy Mountain CERT program exists to support the mission of the U.S. Department of Homeland Defense. Ready.gov
What is CERT?
The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program helps train people to be better prepared to respond to emergency situations in their communities. When emergencies happen, CERT members can give critical support to first responders, provide immediate assistance to victims and organize spontaneous volunteers at a disaster site. CERT members can also help with non-emergency projects that help improve the safety of the community.
The CERT course is taught in the community by a trained team of first responders and community members who have completed a CERT train-the-trainer course conducted by their state training office for emergency management, or Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Emergency Management Institute (EMI), located in Emmitsburg, MD. CERT training includes disaster preparedness, disaster fire suppression, basic disaster medical operations, light search and rescue operations and terrorism awareness.
Community Resilience - Prepare for anticipated disasters to withstand and recover rapidly from disruptions
CERT History
In 2004 the Daisy Mountain Fire Department formed its own CERT Team to assist the communities of Anthem, Desert Hils and New River and now Black Canyon City and Cave Creek. As we set in motion the CERT program for the Daisy Mountain Fire District which is one of hundreds of community's nationwide offering this training. CERT training promotes a partnership between emergency services and citizens of communities throughout the district. The goal of CERT is to train members of our districts neighborhoods, community organizations and workplaces in basic disaster survival skills.
The Community Emergency Response Team concept was developed and implemented by the Los Angeles City Fire Department (LAFD) in 1985. The Whittier Narrows earthquake in 1987 underscored the area-wide threat of a major disaster in California. Further, it confirmed the need for training civilians to meet their immediate needs. As a result, the LAFD created the Disaster Preparedness Division with the purpose of training citizens and private and government employees. Currently there are thousands of CERT teams around the United States.
After a disaster, first responders (fire and police) and other government service providers are overwhelmed. Public services cannot be delivered everywhere that help is needed. Experience has shown that in a disaster setting, ordinary citizens make over 80 per cent of successful rescues as they respond to the emergency in their community. However, many untrained volunteer rescuers actually may cause harm or become injured in the process.
What You'll Learn
- The types of hazards most likely to affect your home and community
- The function of CERT and your role in the immediate response
- How to take steps to prepare for a disaster
- How to identify and reduce potential fire hazards in your home and workplace
- How to work as a team to apply basic fire suppression strategies, resources, and safety measures to extinguish a burning liquid
- How to apply techniques for opening airways, controlling bleeding and treating shock
- How to conduct triage under simulated conditions
- How to perform head-to-toe assessments
- How to select and set up a treatment area
- How to employ basic treatments for various wounds
- How to identify, plan and size-up requirements for potential search and rescue situations
- How to use safe techniques for debris removal and victim extrication
- The most common techniques for searching a structure
Become A Volunteer
Thank you for your interest in the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program.
DMFM Citizen Corps has established the following process to ensure a candidate is the best fit, committed to our mission, and will make a positive impact on the organization as well as the communities we support.
Individual(s) who haven’t completed a 20-hour Basic CERT (G-317) course before being accepted as an Affiliated CERT Volunteer, will be expected to complete the next class and can only volunteer in a limited capacity until CERT training is completed.
Minimum age: 18
Daisy Mountain Fire & Medical Citizen Corps Volunteer Process:
- Complete and Submit a Volunteer Application
- Volunteer Interview
- Background Check
- Complete and Submit the Welcome Packet
- Hep B Vaccination Packet
- Complete the Required Training
- Current Arizona Driver’s License combined with a 39-month driving record
- Current CPR-AED-FirstAid card ( Offered free of charge to all volunteers)
In order to join fill out your Volunteer application, then save it and send it via e-mail to: citizencorps@dmfd.org
Pony Express Mail to:
Daisy Mountain Fire & Medical
Attn:Citizen Corps
41018 N. Daisy Mountain Dr.
Anthem, AZ 85086
Questions? Call 623-465-7400 ext. 341
Fingerprints (HR)
- Email: Karina.Cassano@DMFD.org to request finger printing card and location.
Note: (Must complete a Daisy Mountain Fire & Medical background check)
Required Training
New Volunteers and Current Volunteers must complete these training courses prior to and annually to maintain affiliation with the DMFMCC programs.
- Discrimination & Harassment Prevention Training
- Citizen Corps Driver's Training
- Infectious Disease & Bloodborne Pathogens Training
- Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
- CPR, AED and Basic First Aid
Resources
CERT Basic Training | Disaster Skills & Community Preparedness (fema.gov)
