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The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) educates people about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their area, and trains them in basic disaster response skills such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization and disaster medical operations. Using the training learned in the classroom and during exercises, CERT members can assist others in their neighborhood or workplace following an event when professional responders are not immediately available to help. CERT members are also encouraged to support emergency response agencies by taking a more active role in emergency preparedness projects in their community. The City of La Quinta’s volunteer CERT group is organized to support the City during an emergency or disaster. CERT members provide other assistance in planning, preparedness, exercises and community events. They learn skills in areas of interest which include: first aid and CPR, HAM radio, emergency operations center, and field operations. There are over 40,000 residents in a 32 square-mile area. This includes 6,000 homes scattered along winding streets in hilly terrain. In the event of a major earthquake, experts anticipate that about 10% or 400 homes in the area will be seriously damaged. La Quinta's three engine companies and one rescue company are geared to handle only three incidents at a time. We need to be able to take care of ourselves -- perhaps for several days -- until the professionals arrive. |