Kitsap County Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) assist local authorities during disaster and emergency operations. The various CERT teams in the county operate under the direction of the various fire departments and the Kitsap County Department of Emergency Management. Kitsap County CERT members can post training announcements, pictures from CERT activities and other CERT related informatio
n. The page is open to all and monitored by KCDEM and other page administrators. Please keep this page CERT related only. Any posts not related directly to CERT activities will be removed as soon as they are discovered. What is CERT? Following a major disaster, first responders who provide fire and medical services will not be able to meet the demand for these services. Factors such as number of victims, communication failures and road blockages will prevent people from accessing emergency services they have come to expect at a moment's notice through 911. People will have to rely on each other for help in order to meet their immediate life saving and life sustaining needs. 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 citizens will be initially on their own and their actions can make a difference. Through training, citizens can manage utilities and put out small fires; treat the three killers by opening airways, controlling bleeding, and treating for shock; provide basic medical aid; search for and rescue victims safely and organize themselves and spontaneous volunteers to be effective. CERT members belong to an overall team in the county, as well as teams organized by fire districts. The CERT team members are trained in the skills mentioned above. For more information on getting CERT training or starting a CERT program in your area, please contact the Kitsap County Department of Emergency Management.
