CERT in Action
Description
In CERT in Action, a fierce storm has struck the local community. CERT members activate in their
neighborhood, set up an Incident Command Post, and assess damage throughout the area. They use their CERT
skills to respond to damage and injured victims in the local community center, managing the situation until
professional responders are able to arrive. This video provides a useful introduction to the CERT concept for
new program participants and others who may be interested in the program. This video will also support the
material presented in the CERT Basic Training course Unit 6: CERT Organization. CERT trainers
will be able to use the video to start a dialogue about CERTs use of ICS and other critical features of
successful team operations.
CERT Training: Disaster Psychology
Description
CERT participants, trained to support the first responders during a disaster, will be challenged in many ways
during and after response operations. However, if CERT members are prepared for the stress, they will be more
successful and helpful during the event and more able to rebound when the crisis is over. This training video
provides an overview of stress reactions and strategies for dealing with people under stress during a disaster,
including the needs of disaster workers themselves. This video will support the material presented in the
CERT Basic Training course Unit 7: Disaster Psychology. It will help CERT members learn more
about how to deal effectively in a crisis and how to help others cope.
CERT Training: Safety in the After-Disaster Environment
Description
CERT members can prepare to work in a post-disaster area by understanding more about the potential hazards, by
preparing their own safety kit and by wearing the right gear. The purpose of this training video is to prepare
the CERT members for the kinds of hazards they may experience after a disaster and to help them stay safe as
they work in the disaster area. This video will support the materials presented in the CERT Basic
Training course Unit 5: Light Search and Rescue Operations. CERT trainers will be able to use the
materials presented in this video to start a dialogue about the potential challenges CERT members may face.
CERT Triage: Handling Mass Casualty Situations
Description
Medical triage is the key to doing the most good for the most people whenever there are more victims than
rescuers, resources are limited, and time is critical. This training video provides an overview of the medical
triage process and portrays the steps that CERT members need to follow to provide victims the most effective
lifesaving support available until professional responders arrive on scene. This video will support the
materials presented in the CERT Basic Training course Unit 3: Disaster Medical Operations Part 1.
CERT trainers will be able to use the material presented in the video to start a dialogue about the potential
challenges CERT members may face.
Fire Safety: The CERT Member's Role
Description
This training video covers the basics of fire size up, use of extinguishers, and fire safety. Fires are
dangerous and can change quickly. As in all CERT operations, the CERT members safety is always the number one
priority. Safety measures presented in the video include use of protective gear and the proper equipment to
extinguish small fires, working with a buddy and a team, planning for safe entry and exit, maintaining a safe
distance and position from a fire, and using the P.A.S.S. procedure to operate fire extinguishers. This video
will support the materials presented in the CERT Basic Training course Unit 2: Fire Safety and
Utility Controls.
Demonstrating Victim Carries
Description
Lt. Gregg Karl of the Arlington County, Virginia, Fire Department demonstrates three different types of victim
carries to a class of CERT trainees. This video is recommended for use in the CERT Train-the-Trainer course to
demonstrate effective instructional techniques for teaching victim carries.
Demonstrating Head-to-Toe Assessment
Description
Lt. Byron Dixon of the Arlington County, Virginia, Fire Department demonstrates a head-to-toe assessment for a
class of CERT trainees. This video is recommended for use in the CERT Train-the-Trainer course to demonstrate
effective instructional techniques for teaching head-to-toe assessments.
Coaching Hands-On Practice - Victim Extrication
Description
Lt. Gregg Karl of the Arlington County, Virginia, Fire Department walks a group of CERT trainees through a
cribbing and leveraging exercise. This video is recommended for use in the CERT Train-the-Trainer course to
demonstrate effective instructional techniques for teaching victim extrication.