The Year 2000 problem, sometimes called the Y2K or Millenium Bug, represents one of the biggest challenges to face in the information technology age - a challenge that Jefferson County too must face.

Before the year 2000 actually arrives, it is hard to tell what problems may occur. While we hope that nothing happens, it has been proven repeatedly that being prepared for emergencies and disasters is prudent. With that in mind, the Jefferson County Office of Emergency Services encourages each person to join the county government in preparing for the possibility of some disruption in services, just as we do now to prepare for windstorms, floods and snow storms.

~ JEFFERSON COUNTY OFFICE OF EMERGENCY SERVICES ~

The Jefferson County Office of Emergency Services has been and will continue to work with all local, state and federal agencies in contingency planning, and will be on-going.

~ JEFFERSON COUNTY E-911 CENTER ~

The Jefferson County E-911 Center has recently installed new telephone and E-911 database information. All the equipment has been tested and is compliant with Y2K. Emergency Dispatchers have received Emergency Medical Dispatch training, which has taught them to advise you of medical procedures to take until emergency medical services personnel and equipment arrive responding to your request.

~ Community Emergency Response Team (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 the 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.

One also expects that under these conditions, family members, fellow employees and neighbors will spontaneously try to help each other. This was the case following the Mexico City earthquake where untrained, spontaneous volunteers saved 800 people. However, 100 people lost their lives while attempting to save others. This is a high price to pay and is preventable through training.

If we can predict that emergency services will not meet immediate needs following major disaster, especially if there is no warning, and people will spontaneously volunteer, what can government do to prepare citizens for this eventuality?

First, present citizens the facts about what to expect following a major disaster in terms of immediate services. Second, give the message about their responsibility for mitigation and preparedness. Third, train them in needed life saving skills with emphasis on decision making skills, rescuer safety and doing the greatest good for the greatest number - that's what CERT is about. Fourth, organize teams so that they are extensions of first responder services offering immediate help to victims until fire and medical services arrive.

BACKGROUND: The Community Emergency Response Team concept was developed and implemented by the Los Angeles City Fire Department 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.

The training program that the LAFD initiated makes good sense, and furthers the process of citizens understanding their responsibility in preparing for a disaster. It also increases their ability to safely help themselves, their family and their neighbors. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recognizes the importance of preparing citizens. The Emergency Management Institute (EMI) and the National Fire Academy adopted and expanded the CERT materials, believing them applicable to all hazards.

The CERT course will benefit any citizen who takes it. This individual will be better prepared to respond to and cope with the aftermath of a disaster. Additionally, if a community wants to supplement its response capability after a disaster, civilians can be recruited and trained as neighborhood, business and government teams that, in essence, will be auxiliary responders. These groups can provide immediate assistance to victims in their area, organize spontaneous volunteers who have not had the training, and collect disaster intelligence that will assist professional responders with prioritization and allocation of resources following a disaster.

The CERT training for community groups is usually delivered in 17 1/2 hours; 2 1/2 hour sessions, one evening a week over a 7 week period. Class schedules can be flexible. The training consists of the following:

• SESSION 1: Disaster Preparedness - Addresses hazards to which people are vulnerable in their community. Materials cover actions that participants and their families take before, during and after a disaster. The CERT concept and organization are discussed as well as applicable laws governing volunteers in the jurisdiction.

 
• SESSION 2: Disaster Fire Suppression - Briefly covers fire chemistry, hazardous materials, fire hazards and fire suppression strategies. However, the thrust of this session is the safe use of fire extinguishers, sizing up the situation, controlling utilities, and extinguishing a small fire.

 
• SESSION 3: Disaster Medical Operations Part 1 - Participants practice diagnosing and treating simple airway obstruction, bleeding and shock by using simple triage and rapid treatment techniques.

 
• SESSION 4: Disaster Medical Operations Part 2 - Covers evaluating patients by doing a head to toe assessment, establishing a medical treatment area, performing basic first aid and practicing in a safe and sanitary manner.

 
• SESSION 5: Light Search and Rescue Operations - Participants learn about search and rescue planning, size-up, search techniques and most important, rescuer safety.

 
• SESSION 6: Disaster Psychology and Team Organization - Covers signs and symptoms that might be experienced by the disaster victim and worker. It addresses CERT organization and management principles and the need for documentation.

 
• SESSION 7: Course Review and Disaster Simulation - Participants review their answers from a take-home examination. Finally, they practice the skills that they have learned during the previous six sessions in disaster activity.

CONCLUSION: 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.

Point of Contact: If you have questions about the CERT program, contact Darrell G. Penwell at the Jefferson County Office of Emergency Services, 116 East Washington Street ~ Room #25, Charles Town, WV 25414. Telephone: (304) 728-3290. E-mail: JCOES_DGPenwell@msn.com

last updated Nov. 26, 1999
URL: http://www.intrepid.net/y2k-shepherdstown/JeffOES.html

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