| Part of the Fremont Citizen Corps Council
The City of Fremont Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program is designed to help the citizens of Fremont become better prepared to survive and to safely respond to the needs of their families, neighbors and other residents after a major disaster such as an earthquake, terrorist attack, severe storm, or other catastrophic event. Despite our successes, we still have gaps in making our community as disaster resistant as it could potentially be. Our CERT program prepares our citizens to mitigate hazards, survive disasters and to render aid to others as local public safety resources are overwhelmed by the demands of a disaster. By enhancing our public outreach, training and equipment caches for our CERT program, we can truly make Fremont a disaster resistant community.
The training is 20 hours long and follows the curriculum established by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The training includes instruction on:
- Utility control shut-off (gas, water, and electricity)
- Small fire extinguishment
- Disaster medical aid
- Use of Family Radio Service (FRS) radios
- Safe removal of trapped victims
- Light Search & Rescue techniques
- Psychology of disaster response
- Disaster response as a team
- Hands-on skills training session
Upon completion of the CERT course, residents are able to function as a member of trained teams, armed with the knowledge and skills that will allow them to safely help themselves, their families, and their community. After the training, CERT members are invited to join CERT District teams, along with neighborhood teams to help those in need after a disaster. CERT members participate in scheduled drills twice a year to maintain their skills. CERT also offers a variety of continuing education courses.
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