By Heather Bennett Eye
The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program was started in the ’80s by the Los Angeles Fire Department when they realized the need for support in the event of a large-scale disaster. They wanted to give people the proper training to help others without putting themselves in harms way. FEMA formalized the training program in 1993, which is now available across the United States. The CERT training program prepares everyday people like you and me to help families and neighbors in the event of a disaster so we’re able to provide support and immediate assistance before first responders arrive.
Our Walton County CERT program is under the umbrella of Walton County Emergency Management, the entity responsible for all aspects of disaster including mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery for all types of natural, technological or man-made hazards. It operates out of an old Cold War bunker in DeFuniak Springs. The program is a 501(c)(3) all-hazards department consisting of volunteers who assist where there’s a need. It began in 2017 and has grown to over 200 trained individuals, with 150 volunteers who are active for large-scale events and about 60 volunteers who are more active and readily available for non-disaster events as well. “The reason why CERT exists, is so our community is more resilient and more prepared,” said Catie Feeney, Operations Coordinator for Walton County.
Non-Disaster events are what they call “Blue Sky” activities. These can be anything from assisting community events with traffic control or first aid stations to attending outreach events, helping around the bunker, organizing disaster supplies, and assisting with office functions such as filing. “Gray Sky” activities are more disaster response events such as human needs assessments after house fires alongside the American Red Cross, assisting in the Emergency Operations Center, answering phones in the Community Information Center, and distributing supplies such as food, water, and ice. “We are the pieces behind the scenes that make sure that when big does get big, and it’s beyond the capacity of the first responders, we can be there to support them so they get what they need,” stated Catie.
The CERT team also focuses on helping people post-disaster, thinking about what people need in the weeks and months ahead, and making sure they are able to transition back to normalcy as soon as possible. “We’re the little worker bees behind the scenes,” said Catie. Volunteers will help EOC staff keep track of resources, recovering resources that are no longer needed and moving them around to where there’s still a need.
Volunteers come from all types of backgrounds. Some people are professional volunteers, who volunteer more hours than their regular work hours, and there are also retirees, lawyers, and doctors. “We have some folks who are in their 70s. It doesn’t matter your age or ability, there’s a spot for everybody,” said Catie. “The CERT program is an incredible opportunity not only to give back to your community but also to make lifelong friends. There are people from all walks of life, all different professions. You can find your friends here.”
If you’re interested in learning more about CERT, you can take an online class IS-317: Introduction to Community Emergency Response Teams, offered through FEMA. The Walton County CERT program offers in-person volunteer training 3 times a year. The next session will be offered this summer. The classes teach basic skills for fire operations, fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, disaster medical operations and terrorism. It’s offered on Tuesday and Thursday evenings over two weeks with a Saturday practicum where you can put your skills to the test.
Other ways the CERT program is helping Walton County stay prepared is through HERicane Florida | Landfall: Walton County, Walton County Emergency Management’s free, week-long girl’s day camp where girls (7th – 9th grade) will train in disaster preparedness, leadership, career exploration and professional development. They will be mentored by female leaders from local, state, national and private sector response agencies. There will also be a county-wide Preparedness Town Hall hosted on June 6 from 6-8 p.m. at the South Walton Annex at 31 Coastal Centre Blvd in Santa Rosa Beach.
“We just want to make Walton County better. We want to make Walton County more resilient, to be able to help our neighbors do it safely, and build a community that can rely on each other,” said Catie. “We have no control over Mother Nature, and she is way more powerful than we are. What we have control over is being able to make sure both our visitors and our residents are prepared.”
If you’d like to learn more about the CERT program, please visit https://www.co.walton.fl.us/1208/Community-Emergency-Response-Teams-CERT. If you’d like to make a donation, you can make a donation through the Walton County Board of County Commissioners.
