WHAT IS CERT?
The Los Gatos-Monte Sereno Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) is an all-volunteer, community-based emergency preparedness organization, supported by and operating within the command structure of the Los Gatos-Monte Sereno Police Department.
MISSION STATEMENT
The primary mission of LGMS CERT is to provide support and assistance to our communities and emergency services personnel during emergencies or disasters.
But an equally important mission is to increase the overall level of disaster readiness by training and educating individuals within the communities of Los Gatos and Monte Sereno in emergency preparedness and basic disaster response techniques.
SMALL-TOWN PREPAREDNESS
Upon Chief Fields’ invitation, I attended a recent CERT “Are you prepared?” meeting at the Los Gatos-Monte Sereno Police Operations facility, 15900 Los Gatos Blvd.
In addition to the Chief, Mayor Matthew Hudes as well as Council and CERT member Rob Rennie were in attendance, as were 20 or so CERT member-civilians, police department officials and other interested folks.
ARE YOU READY?
The presentation agenda included: home emergency preparedness/Red Cross presentation by Brad Gordon CERT-Red Cross, personal emergency preparedness by Scott Hepworth, a CERT member, Sandra Rennie, Rob’s mother, shared her experiences in surviving the Paradise fire, and Ying Zhang gave an in-depth demonstration on preparing emergency go-kits.
The CERT training goes over how to organize and work together as a team and play a vital part of disaster response efforts.
The attendees learn the importance of being prepared for any area-wide disasters, medical operations, fire suppressions and light search and rescue.
HOW TO CERT
CERT trains its members on organizing resources, medical operations, hazardous materials, and terrorism awareness, as well as how to operate a fire extinguisher and conduct a damage assessment.
The CERT course is open to individuals who live or work with the communities served by the Santa Clara County Fire Department: Cupertino, Campbell, Los Gatos, Monte Sereno, Saratoga, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills and the unincorporated surrounding areas.
Located within our neighborhoods are incident command locations. These are places where a CERT commander oversees and manages operations during an emergency situation. This allows organized coordination of activities and resource allocation.
BECOME PART OF THE SOLUTION
Check out CERT, or, better yet, sign up and become a Certified Community Emergency Response Team member. Registration is $39.19 Learn what to do during an emergency that might just save yourself, your family and your neighbors.
For more info go to: sccfd.eventbrite.com
