History
Local government prepares for everyday emergencies. However, during a disaster, the number and scope of incidents can overwhelm professional emergency services. The CERT program is designed to help you protect yourself, your family, your neighbors and your neighborhood in an emergency situation. CERT is a positive and realistic approach to emergency and disaster situations where citizens may initially be on their own and their actions can make a difference. While people will respond to others in need without the training, one goal of the CERT program is to help them do so effectively and efficiently without placing themselves in unnecessary danger. In the CERT training, citizens learn to: Manage utilities and put out small fires; Treat the 3 medical killers by opening airways, controlling bleeding, and treating for shock; Provide basic medical aid; Search for and rescue victims safely; Organize themselves and spontaneous volunteers, and Collect disaster intelligence.
Specialties
The CERT Battalion Coordinators for Battalion 10 (Sherman Oaks, Van Nuys, Encino,Lake Balboa, North Hills) holds monthly meetings to better prepare our CERT and Community members for disaster preparedness. Training and review topics include basic first aid such as wound care and splinting, making and maintaining home emergency kits, how to lift and carry wounded people safely, how to recognize signs of shock and treat certain wounds, setting up a field hospital, documentation and radio communications. Our meetings are held monthly and are open to the public. Dates for 2018 meetings can be found on the calendar at www.cert-la.com. All meetings will be held on Sundays from 12:30PM to 2;30PM at the Van Nuys/Sherman Oaks Adult Rec Center at 5056 Van Nuys Blvd. Free, easy parking at the Center.