The Town of Amherst is looking for volunteers!
 Upcoming Fall Schedule for CERT Training. Click here to pre-register for the next CERT program class. Please include your name, address and phone number where you can be contacted. You will be contacted when the next class is scheduled.
For additional information about the Town of Amherst's CERT Program, contact the the Department of Emergency Services & Safety.
The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program educates people about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations. Using the training learned in the classroom and during exercises, CERT members can assist others in their neighborhood or workplace following an event when professional responders are not immediately available to help. CERT members also are encouraged to support emergency response agencies by taking a more active role in emergency preparedness projects in their community.
CERT training greatly enhances individual and community readiness in the event of natural or manmade disasters and emergencies. The basic CERT Training Program is a 20 hour course divided into 9 sessions including both academic and hands-on instruction. Topics covered include:
- Disaster Emergency Preparedness
- Fire Safety - Fire Extinguisher Use
- Treating Life Threatening Injuries - Basic First Aid
- Assessment, Treatment and Hygiene
- Light Search and Rescue - Techniques and Tactics
- Team Organization
- Disaster Psychology
- Terrorism Awareness Level Training and You
- Final Exercise - Disaster Simulation - Hands-on work
CERT members can become involved in distributing preparedness materials, staffing first aid booths at special events, becoming trained to assist at Red Cross Disaster Shelters. CERT members in a disaster setting or in an emergency can assist first responders when requested. CERT members initially assist in providing many of the same functions as emergency response personnel until help arrives.
For more information on CERT, visit their website. | 
