Branson Fire & Rescue to Present Free 8-Week Training Program: Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)
Branson, MO (August 15, 2017) – The Branson Fire Department invites community members to participate in the next series of Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training to be held on Tuesday evenings from 6:00-9:00PM for eight consecutive weeks starting Tuesday, September 5, 2017.
All sessions will be held at the Branson Fire Department Training Center located on the campus of Ballparks of America near its Boston field.
CERT training focuses on community member readiness to help in times of disaster such as those we’ve most recently experienced in our local community related to flooding incidents as well as the EF2 tornado that traveled along West Highway 76 and into the downtown area in 2012. Following a disaster, emergency response agencies such as fire, police and ambulance crews may become overwhelmed with calls for help, presenting a challenge in meeting a high volume of demand for services. Community members with CERT training are a valuable resource in that they can provide immediate assistance in their neighborhoods until emergency responders arrive.
The City of Branson has successfully presented this federally developed program and has utilized the services provided by community CERT members to assist at large events, local disasters, and even in neighbor communities like Joplin where a team of 12 Branson-area citizens were deployed to assist in the search for victims when the devastating EF5 ripped through their city.
“The CERT program focuses on teaching community members basic skills related to disaster response including fire and rescue operations, basic search and rescue, disaster psychology, team organization, and disaster preparedness,” stated Branson Fire Chief Ted Martin. “Community members will be better prepared to assist and sustain family members and neighbors in the event of a disaster,” added Martin.
This training is free to local community members. For more information or to register for this program, please contact Branson Fire & Rescue at (417) 243-2780.
Media inquiries related to this content may be directed to Jennifer Langford, Communications Manager, City of Branson at JLangford@BransonMO.gov or by calling 417.337.0017.
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About the City of Branson, Missouri: Located in Southwest Missouri, the City of Branson is committed to its citizens and to those who visit here, to ensure a safe and environmentally sound community. We will work as a team to maintain and promote the growth of our City, and to provide professional, courteous service to all through fair and open communication. We look to tomorrow, remembering yesterday, dedicated to excellence today.