Training opportunity for volunteers needed to help during a crisis

Each year, hundreds of communities across the country find themselves in crisis mode awaiting the response of fire departments, EMS, and police. Unfortunately, during these crisis events, public safety is overtasked. Compounded with downed trees and other obstructions, the response can be delayed for several hours or, in worse case scenarios, several days.

Identifying a need for early response in these types of events, the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) was born. As an extension of the Citizens Corp and operated through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), CERT programs have had tremendous success and contributed to hundreds of lives saved since its inception in 2003. Today, there are over 2,200 CERT programs in the United States, including two in the CSRA. CERT members undergo a formalized training, which teaches several emergency response topics such as Search & Rescue, Light Fire Suppression, and Disaster First Aid and Medical Triage.

In partnership with Richmond County Emergency Management, the Office of Critical Events Preparedness & Response (CEPaR) will be hosting the first CERT training program here at GRU and GRHealth. Students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to participate. Upon successful completion of the course, participants will be given an Emergency Response Kit and will be prepared to assist their family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers in those crucial minutes and hours just after disaster strikes. As a member of GRU CERT, you will be prepared to respond and assist throughout GRU and GRHealth.

The first course will begin on May 7, 2015, and will meet each Thursday thereafter from 6 to 9 p.m. through June 18, 2015, followed by an exercise to practice all that was learned. This course is being offered FREE OF CHARGE to all GRU/GRHealth students, faculty, and staff. We will need between 25 and 30 folks to make this class work. If you are interested in attending this inaugural class, click here.  Once you are certain you can attend, simply send an email to CEPAR@gru.edu. A formal registration link will be sent out the first week of April for official registration.

Are you interested in becoming an Emergency Response Volunteer but don’t have time for the CERT classes? Consider becoming an Amateur Radio Operator. These volunteers are crucial during any disaster. Within our own emergency plans at GRU, we utilize these volunteers to facilitate communications with local and state partners. For more information, click here.

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Jagwire is your source for news and stories from Augusta University. Daily updates highlight the many ways students, faculty, staff, researchers and clinicians "bring their A games" in classrooms and clinics on four campuses in Augusta and locations across the state of Georgia.

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