Hamden CERT
Community Emergency Response Team
Serving the Community in the Land of
The Sleeping Giant since 2004
"We do what we do for a cause, not for applause!"
About CERT
History
The CERT program was started in 1985 by the Los Angeles Fire Department in response to the recognition that in an emergency, especially one like an earthquake, the number of calls for help may exceed the first responders' capacity, and people who are trained to help themselves and their neighbors are a significant asset. Factors such as increased number of casualties, communication failures, road blockages, and damaged infrastructure could prevent people from accessing emergency services they have come to expect at a moment's notice through dialing 911. At times such as these, residents and visitors might have to rely on each other for help in order to meet their immediate life-saving and life-sustaining needs. This is when and where CERT volunteers could step up and provide communities with the emergency care and skills needed to help them stay safe until additional services can be provided.
In 1993, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) made the program available nationwide. By 2003, CERT programs were offered in 45 states.
The Hamden program started in 2004. The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) educates people about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their area and instructs them in basic disaster response skills such as fire safety, light search & rescue, team organization, basic first aid, and disaster medical operations.
Using the 20 hours of training learned in the classroom and during exercises, FEMA-certified CERT members can assist others in their neighborhood or workplace following an event when professional responders are not immediately available to help.
Hamden CERT has also grown to include a significant role in pre-planned community events. We provide logistical support for events including the Memorial Day Parade, Fireworks celebration, Summer concert series, food truck festivals, Earth Day, Brooksvale Fall Festival, and others.
Our Mission
During emergencies, the mission of Hamden CERT is three-fold: to first assist our families, then our neighbors, and finally our community. After meeting the needs of our family and neighbors, our primary mission is to assist our police and fire services along with our community during any extended emergency operation.
In non-emergencies, we operate as a team alongside our first responders, especially during large, planned public events. During large-scale emergencies that would deplete the on-duty personnel, we work to supplement them. Two of our major functions have been rehabilitation of our first responders because of severe weather conditions, and providing assistance to displaced citizens. We are honored to be a major partner in the structure of Hamden’s Office of Emergency Management.