CERT Training Classes Description The DC Citizen Corps program provides CERT training to individuals who live or work in the District of Columbia. The purpose of this initiative is to provide citizens with emergency preparedness training to better prepare themselves, their families, and their communities to handle emergencies. CERT is a 20-hour course. The following is an overview of each unit. Unit 1: Disaster Preparedness What defines a disaster and who makes up the response workforce The impact of disasters on infrastructure Structural and nonstructural hazards Hazard mitigation Home and workplace preparedness Community preparedness Protection for disaster workers Unit 2: Fire Safety Fire chemistry Fire hazards Fire safety Portable fire extinguishers Fire suppression safety Hazardous materials Units 3: Disaster Medical Operations-Part 1 How to recognize and treat an airway obstruction, bleeding, and shock Principles of triage and how to conduct triage evaluations Unit 4: Disaster Medical Operations-Part 2 Public health considerations Functions of disaster medical operations Disaster medical treatment areas Patient evaluation Basic treatment Unit 5: Light Search and Rescue Operations  Search and rescue sizeup Conducting Search operations Conducting rescue operations Unit 6: CERT Organization CERT organization Rescuer safety Documentation Team organization Unit 7: Disaster Psychology The psychological impact of a disaster on rescuers and victims, and how to provide “psychological first aid”  Caring for yourself, your buddy, and victims Unit 8: Terrorism and CERT What terrorism is Terrorist weapons B-NICE indicators CERTs and terrorist incidents At the completion of all eight units, participants will receive a certificate of completion, a CERT disaster kit, CERT vest and hard hat. For more information about the CERT program contact Shirley Hall or call (202) 727-8965.