The Community Emergency Response Team education program is currently paused.  

Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training educates people about disaster planning, preparedness and survival. Essentially, it helps them become disaster ready at home and work. 

CERT Training Units of Instruction

Disasters

• A variety of disaster situations that might threaten our community are reviewed.
• The potential impact on Olathe's infrastructure, structural hazards, and nonstructural hazards are reviewed.
• CERT members learn what they can do to lessen the effects and secondary hazards that can occur after a disaster.

Basic Fire Suppression

• The use of fire extinguishers, personal safety, fire prevention, and an overview of the Olathe Fire Department is reviewed.
• An orientation to hazardous materials is provided. 
• CERT members learn to recognize and identify a hazardous material threat to properly notify authorities.

 Terrorism 

• A basic overview on terrorism is presented.

Disaster Medical Operations

• Part I includes an introduction to disaster medical situations. It includes recognizing and treating life-threatening conditions, triage, and practical applications for disaster medical knowledge and skills.
• Part II concentrates on the organization of disaster medical operations. Participants learn to conduct head-to-toe patient assessments, establish treatment areas, treat burns, care for wounds, treat fractures, sprains, and strains, splint broken bones, and treat hypothermia and frostbite. 
• CERT members learn public health considerations and apply their new disaster-medical knowledge and skills in a practical scenario.

Light Search and Rescue  

• Aspects of search and rescue planning, size-up, and operations are presented.

Team Organization 

• The spontaneous organization of CERT and disaster decision-making is presented. 
• CERT members learn about disaster psychology and how these traumatic events can affect victims and rescuers. 
• CERT’s relationship to the incident management system is reviewed.

The Finale

• A written take-home exam is required.
• A simulated, hands-on "disaster" exercise that puts new CERT skills to the test is required.
• A certificate is awarded when participants complete all CERT program units.

Call 913-971-7900 for additional information.

NOTE: People who complete the CERT program do not respond to emergencies.

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