Rationale for the TEEN CERT Program
- The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has identified schools as part of the country’s critical infrastructure
- Limited effort has focused on training staff and students in emergency response to incidents occurring in the school
- Little attention has been given to involving teens in emergency preparedness and response
The purpose of the TEEN CERT program is to ensure students have the skills needed to protect themselves, and assist others, in the event of an emergency.
The CERT curriculum consists of 9 units and covers disaster preparedness, first aid, fire safety, and light search and rescue. The program culminates with a mock disaster drill.
Unit 1 – Disaster Preparedness.
Unit 2 – Fire Safety.
Unit 3 – Disaster Medical Operations: Part 1.
Unit 4 – Disaster Medical Operations: Part 2.
Unit 5 – Light Search and Rescue Operations.
Unit 6 – CERT Organization.
Unit 7 – Disaster Psychology.
Unit 8 – Terrorism.
Unit 9 – Review and Disaster Simulation.
Benefit for the school: An educated/trained student body will be available to provide assistance if a disaster strikes your location and if immediate professional responders are unable to reach your location.
Additionally, there are grants through the Department of Homeland Security available to assist schools in providing this training.
TEEN CERTS are not replacements for professional responders.
For the students: Community service hours, dual enrollment for college credit (optional), the opportunity to learn important life skills, and the satisfaction that comes from helping others.
No matter what you do you are still liable. The question is, “can you reduce your risk and liability by having trained student responders who know how to react in the face of danger or disaster.”
In 95% of all emergencies, bystanders or victims themselves are the first to provide emergency assistance or to perform a rescue.
The intent is not to expose the students to additional risk. Rather, it is to provide the school with trained personnel who are able to render aid to victims during an event when professional responders may be delayed. This program is about learning to respond SAFELY.
Instructional costs are free, and while the grant covers the initial expense for equipment, creative approaches, including mini-grants will have to be developed for sustainability. There are currently 500 backpacks and student manuals available.
All lead instructors should be CERT instructors; however, other staff to consider as trainers may include:
School Resource Officers
School psychologists, and counselors
Emergency Management professionals
Local fire, police, and EMS personnel
School nurses, health or physical education instructors
Other disaster relief personnel (e.g., CERT volunteers)
When the primary instructor is a non-professional responder call upon professionals to supplement the instruction of the CERT units, i.e.,
Emergency Manager to teach Unit 1 – Disaster Preparedness
Fire fighters to teach Unit 2 and 5 – Fire Suppression and Light Search and Rescue
EMS to teach Unit 3 and 4 – Medical
Counselor to teach Unit 7 – Disaster Psychology
Police officer to teach Unit 8 – Terrorism
The trained students also support other activities within the school. They may point out unsafe conditions, they may identify students who have become disenfranchised, or they may be role models who take on new leadership responsibilities within the school.
It is recommended that participants receive 20-30 community service hours toward graduation.
The curriculum takes approximately 20-30 hours to cover its current form. However, if certification is offered from Red Cross or American Heart Association in CPR, First Aid, and AED skills then add an additional 8 hours for this process.
Please contact us with any questions you may have.
Diane Hake Johnny Hake
Program Manager Coordinator/Instructor
CERT/TEEN CERT Julian CERT/TEEN CERT Julian
certjulian@hotmail.com certjulian@hotmail.com