CERT: Community Emergency Response Team

The CERT Program consists of a group of volunteers who have been trained to assist with basic disaster response such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization and disaster medical operations.

Join The Community Emergency Response Team This Spring

POSTED 3/18/2011

Interested in joining the Hopkins Community Emergency Response Team? Attend an informational meeting on Monday, April 4, at 6:30 pm at the Hopkins Fire Department.

Spring CERT classes begin Monday, April 11, and will be held Monday evenings in April and May. The class sessions run from 6:30 to 9:30 pm and are interactive, fun and informative. All Hopkins residents 18 and older are encouraged to participate.

In the CERT course you will learn to manage utilities, put out small fires, provide basic medical aid, perform simple search and rescue, and collect information to support emergency responders.

Local government continually strives to prepare for a variety of emergencies. However, during a disaster, the number and scope of incidents can quickly overwhelm local emergency services. The CERT program is an all-risk, all-hazard, free training program designed to help prepare you, your family, your neighbors and neighborhood for an emergency. CERT is a realistic approach to emergency and disaster situations where citizens may initially be on their own for the first 48-72 hours until professional help can reach them.

CERT logo

What does CERT do? 

CERT participants assist family members and others in their neighborhood or workplace following an incident when professional responders are not immediately available to help.  Members also assist with community events such as the Raspberry Festival and National Night Out. CERT members are involved in disaster drills to maintain their skills.

How do I qualify? 

You must live in Hopkins, be at least 18 years of age, submit to a background investigation and successfully complete the 24-hour training course.

CERT graduates receive certificate at Council meeting

The first CERT class graduated at a City Council meeting in December of 2007.

Is there training?

Yes, training requires 24 hours of instruction. The CERT course is taught in the community by a team of First Responders who have completed a CERT Train-the-Trainer course. CERT training includes disaster preparedness, disaster fire suppression, basic disaster medical operations, and light search and rescue operations. Classes are one night per week for six weeks with a final simulation drill on a subsequent Saturday.

I’m interested – now what?

Submit your name, address, phone numbers, and e-mail address to CERT@hopkinsmn.com. You can also contact Paul Odden at the Hopkins Fire Department at 952-548-6453.

Contacts