CERT Search and Rescue Exercise
Photo-essay. On March 24th, 2018 Coastside CAL Fire held a CERT Search and Rescue exercise. CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) is a FEMA program designed to train civilians on emergency response techniques.
Half Moon Bay Battalion Chief, Dave Cosgrave, and La Honda Fire Chief, Ari Delay, led the exercise for about 25 participants.
This exercise is the culmination of 24 hours of training, over two evenings, and two Saturdays.
CERT Modules/Topics
- Disaster Preparedness
- Fire Safety and Utility Controls
- ICS (Incident Command System). Students are taught the management system which covers
- Planning (Plan it)
- Logistics (Find and Order it)
- Operations (Get and Implement it)
- Finance (track it so FEMA can reimburse $$)
- Disaster Medical Operations ~ Mass Casualty First Aid and Triage
- Light Search and Rescue
- Disaster Psychology
- Terrorism and CERT
Contact
If you would like to learn more about CERT contact CERT trainer, Michelle Dragony.
Go to Coastside Buzz’s Coastside Emergency Prep for more information.
Rescuers look for three danger signs to determine if victim is Red.
1. Breathing over 30 seconds per minute (panting)
2. Capillary refill (finger pinch, release) less than 2 seconds.
3. Mental Status (can respond).
To left: Open fracture. Not good.
Capillary refill less and 2 seconds – good!
Can respond – good!
Breathing 30+ – uh oh, sound shocky
Move to Yellow tarp and review status every 15 minutes.
Triage Leader can have a green victim sit with him to keep him calm and help stabilize the fracture.
To right: Unresponsive = RED / Immediate, even though capillary refill is less than 2 seconds and breathing under 30.