[KYHAM] Ky CERT Programs
Ron Dodson
[email protected]
Mon, 19 Jan 2004 09:11:21 -0500
From input I received and what I have found on the FEMA CERT web
site, I have concluded the following about the current status of
the CERT program in Kentucky:
We have in the state, 5 programs who have officially stated their
existence (see the descriptions below). Some have had contact
with amateur radio, others quite possibly have not. Still other
CERTS will be forming around the state as time passes.
Kentucky CERTS listed on the FEMA/DHS web site:
Geographic Area: Boone County
Name of Program: Boone County CERT
Sponsoring Agency: Boone County Citizen Corps & Boone
County Emergency Management
Point(s) of Contact: Mark Ihrig or Bill Fletcher
Phone Numbers: (859) 334-2279
E-mail address: [email protected]
Website address: http://www.boonecountyky.org/EM
Brief Description:
The Boone County Citizen Corps Council together with Boone County
Emergency Management offers Community Emergency Response Team
(CERT) training for Boone County, Kentucky. We encourage citizens
to get involved in Boone County CERT - a program of "Neighbors
Helping Neighbors".
Geographic Area: Erlanger, Kenton County
Name of Program: Community Emergency Response Team
Sponsoring Agency: Erlanger Fire/EMS Department
Point(s) of Contact: Captain Terry Allen
Phone Numbers: 859-727-7942
E-mail address: [email protected]
Website address: FriendshipCity.com
Brief Description:
We are nearly complete with our first CERT Training Program. We
have twenty-five enthusiastic students that are "ready to go."
The community has shown much interest in the program and we have
a waiting list for the next session that we hope to begin in
September, 2003. Any questions may be directed to Captain Terry
Allen or Public Education Coordinator, Bob Williams.
Geographic Area: Jefferson County
Name of Program: Metro EMA CERT Program
Sponsoring Agency: Louisville/Jefferson County Metro EMA
Point(s) of Contact: Marcy Heilman
Phone Numbers: 502-574-3948
E-mail address: [email protected]
Website address:
Brief Description:
The CERT program is designed to bring first responders and
citizen volunteers together to assist the community's ability to
prepare for and recover from disaster situations. This program
was organized under the local Emergency Management Agency.
Geographic Area: Western Kentucky
Name of Program: Paducah-McCracken Co. OEM CERT training
Sponsoring Agency: Paducah-McCracken Co. Office of
Emergency Management
Point(s) of Contact: Kent King , Ed Duff
Phone Numbers: 270-442-6381
E-mail address: [email protected]
Website address:
Brief Description:
We conduct CERT training in Paducah and McCracken Co. Kentucky.
Seven of our City and County Emergency Response members have
taken FEMA's Train-the-trainer CERT course in Emmitsburg, Md. We
offer CERT training to neighborhoods, hospital staff, school
empolyees, and other interested members of the community. We have
used our CERT trained citizens in disaster exercises. Submitted
by: Mark R. Messens, Director
Geographic Area: Woodford County
Name of Program: Woodford County Medical Reserve
Corps/Community Emergency Response Team
Sponsoring Agency: Woodford County Health Department &
Emergency Management
Point(s) of Contact: Rebecca Rogers
Phone Numbers: 859-873-4541
E-mail address: [email protected]
Website address: www.wchd.com
Brief Description:
Woodford County Health Department, Emergency Management,
Emergency Medical Services, Coroner's Office, Versailles City
Fire Department and Bluegrass Community Hospital have been
working together to train a volunteer team to respond to
community emergencies. In Woodford County, the Medical Reserve
Corps has been combined with the Community Emergency Response
Team. Woodford County received grant money for the Medical
Reserve Corps. Volunteers are encouraged to attend all 8 CERT
courses plus 2 additional courses on Shelter Operations and Mass
Fatalities/Mass Casualties. Medical as well as non-medical
persons are encouraged to participate in all courses offered. All
volunteers are trained on local emergency operations plans
including bioterrorism or other public health emergency plans.
The goal is to train as many community members as possible in
self-help emergency functions and utilize the help of volunteers
in a disaster situation if it is needed.
----------------------------------------
Info I received from ARES leaders around the state:
From Area 1, Marshall County EC Whipple Walker, N4STW tells me
that he and his xyl have completed the Train-the Trainer course
and a CERT is still in early developmental stages.
SM and District 7 DEC John Meyers, NB4K and ADEC Lyn Ernst,
WD8JAW are aware of and have had communicatiosn with the 2 CERTs
from Area 7 above.
In Woodford County EC Jerome Mueller, KC4WZO advises that he and
six other ARES members have applied to become involved in their
CERT. Their next meeting is January 26, 2003.
I can tell each of you that it is not permitted for anyone to
join a CERT outside their county of residence. In the future, if
any of you are interested in becoming involved in a CERT in your
home county, feel free to check it out and do so. Be aware that
there is a 20+ hour training requirement and a background check
conducted by police officials before you become an offical CERT
member. There is also a new home study course for those who want
to learn more about CERTS called IS 317 Introduction to Community
Emergency Response Teams - only available on-line at
http://training.fema.gov/emiweb/IS/is317.asp
The IS 317 can be taken by anyone interested in CERT. However, to
become a CERT volunteer, one must complete the classroom training
offered by local government agency.
Please be sure also to always let Ron Goodpaster and myself know
whenever ARES volunteers are working with CERTs as they form and
come into operation across the state.
73,
Ron Dodson, KA4MAP
SEC Ky