Yarmouth-Dennis CERT

CERT Logo

Background:

The Federal Emergency Management Agency, using the model created by the Los Angeles City Fire Department, began promoting nationwide use of the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) concept in 1994. Since then, CERTs have been established in hundreds of communities. CERT training promotes a partnering effort between emergency services and the people that they serve.

How it works:

The goal is for emergency personnel to train members of neighborhoods, community organizations, or workplaces in basic response skills. CERT members are then integrated into the emergency response capability for their area. If a disastrous event overwhelms or delays the community’s professional response, CERT members can assist others by applying the basic response and organizational skills that they learned during training. These skills can help save and sustain lives following a disaster until help arrives. CERT skills also apply to daily emergencies. CERT members maintain and refine their skills by participating in exercises and activities. They can attend supplemental training opportunities offered by the sponsoring agency and others that further their skills base. Finally, CERT members can volunteer for projects that improve community emergency preparedness.

C.E.R.T. In Yarmouth and Dennis:

Yarmouth-Dennis CERT members have volunteered for numerous events since 2002 including:

Hurricane Shelters at D/Y High School, Hurricane Sandy Relief donation drop-off site, Fireworks in Yarmouth MA, Seaside Festival in Yarmouth, Cape Cod Irish Village road Race, St. Patrick's Day Parade, Fire Prevention Open House at YFD, Relay for Life at D/Y High School, Run/Walk for the Art's in Yarmouth, Mighty Meehan Road Race in Dennis, and Disaster Drills at Barnstable Municipal Airport.

In the event of an emergency the team is activated by the town's emergency managers. The Yarmouth-Dennis CERT team and its members are a great asset to the town.