Twain Harte Area CERT

About Community Emergency Response Teams for Tuolumne County

CERT is about readiness, people helping people, rescuer safety and doing the greatest good for the greatest number. CERT is a positive and realistic approach to emergency and disaster situations where actions can make a difference. Twain Harte Area CERT is a dedicated Team of community based volunteers who are trained to a minimum level and support emergency responses and community preparedness programs in Twain Harte.

A group of individuals poses together, wearing matching vests, in a community building with a flag and a sign behind them.

History

The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) concept was developed and implemented by the Los Angeles City Fire Department (LAFD) in 1985. The Whittier Narrows earthquake in 1987 underscored the area-wide threat of a major disaster in California. Further, it confirmed the need for training civilians to meet their immediate needs. As a result, the LAFD created the Disaster Preparedness Division with the purpose of training citizens and private and government employees.

The CERT course will benefit anyone who takes it, better preparing them to respond to and cope with the aftermath of a disaster. CERT can provide immediate assistance to professional responders with prioritization and allocation of resources following a disaster. Since 1993 when this training was made available nationally by FEMA, communities in 28 states and Puerto Rico have conducted CERT training.

A group of volunteers in green vests and helmets poses outdoors, surrounded by trees, likely engaged in community service or safety training. — **Twain Harte Area CERT Founding Members - Class of April 2014**

(Left to Right Back row: Chief Todd McNeal, Doug Tucker, Carol Hallett, Eric Marvel, Susan Marvel, Gary Sipperley, Richard Knudson, Bill McManus, Frances McManus, Bill Schiavo - Front row: Wes Jordan, Marilyn Knudson, Alan Wallace & Dore Bietz)

Training Course

A group of people wearing safety vests and hard hats pose together in front of a trailer in an outdoor setting.

The 20+ hour CERT training course is delivered in the community by a team of instructors and first responders who have the requisite knowledge and skills to instruct the sessions.

For More Information Please Contact:

Carol Hallett - Program Manager

Twain Harte Area CERT

Email: twainhartecert@gmail.com

Neil Gamez – Fire Chief

Twain Harte Fire and Rescue

Office: (209) 586-4800

Email: ngamez@twainhartecsd.com