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FIREWORKS SAFETY POWERPOINT

To report neighborhood traffic problems
or to request additional enforcement,
click here or call 314-822-5868.

Do you know how to respond in the event of a major community disaster such as a tornado, earthquake, train derailment, or terrorist attack? If not, the city encourages you to consider signing up for a free training class being offered by the Kirkwood Police Department. Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training will offer participants first-hand training on mobilizing members of the community in the event of an emergency situation. In addition to teaching basic first aid, the course will provide participants with training on how to be a qualified “first responder.” 

We are proud to announce the dates for our first 8-week Kirkwood / Oakland CERT training class, starting on Monday, October 2, 2006, and ending on Monday, November 20.  They will be held each Monday night during that time period from 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. at Kirkwood Fire House #2, located at 11804 Big Bend Road in Kirkwood.  A PDF application is available following the overview below.

CERT Overview

Following a major disaster, first responders who provide fire and medical services may not be able to meet the demand for emergency services for the first 72 hours of the disaster. Serious problems such as communication failures, road blockages and significant numbers of injured victims may prevent people from accessing those emergency services they have come to expect at a moment's notice.  People may have to rely on each other for help in order to meet their immediate life saving and life sustaining needs.

It has been proven many times that under disaster conditions, family members, fellow employees, and neighbors will spontaneously try to help each other.  This was the case following the 1985 Mexico City earthquake where untrained, spontaneous volunteers saved 800 people.  Sadly to say, over 100 untrained volunteers lost their lives while attempting to save others.  This is a high price to pay and is preventable through training.

The CERT program provides an effective first-responder capability with the aid of citizen involvement.  Acting as individuals during a disaster, trained CERT volunteers can fan out within a particular neighborhood or business complex extinguishing small fires, performing light search and rescue and rendering basic first aid for disaster victims.

Individual civilian volunteers will be recruited and trained as neighborhood, business, and government teams that, in essence, will be auxiliary first 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.

CERT is about readiness, people helping people, rescuer safety and doing the greatest good for the greatest number.  Through training, citizens can manage utilities, put out small fires, provide basic medical aid and save the lives of neighbors or coworkers.

CERT is a positive and realistic approach to emergency and disaster situations where citizens can make a difference.

If you have any questions, concerns or would like more information, please contact:

Officer Jim Cox, Kirkwood Police Department, 314-822-5868
or
Captain Mike Koenig  Kirkwood Fire Department, 314-984-6950

Cert Application (PDF)