Here is a brief overview of CERT from the Department of HomeLand Security Website. " The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program educates people about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations. Using the training learned in the classroom and during exercises, CERT members can assist others in their neighborhood or workplace following an event when professional responders are not immediately available to help. CERT members also are encouraged to support emergency response agencies by taking a more active role in emergency preparedness projects in their community. There is a CERT Overview paper located at http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/CERT/overview.asp that gives you a complete description of CERT. "

On August 25, 2004, KSARDA members final "test" for the CERT class was a Mock Disaster Drill. The team set up Incident Command, and various teams that were assigned to check residences for victims and safety issues, provide medical care, and necessary community support during the "disaster". The team worked hard and ran a successful drill. Congratulations to the new CERT certification members: Sandi Stelz, Stacy Shaver, Vicki Walton, Cheryl & Phil Weitzel, Heather Voyles, Sherryl White, Matt & Alaine Kuestersteffen, and Inga Tanner.

KSARDA teammembers get briefed for their CERT disaster 'deployment'.	Heather documents information found inside a residence.
Alaine marks a door with information on victims found inside a room.	Incident Commander, Vicki, talks to a mother who is worried about her missing son.
Sherryl and Cheryl keep track of incoming victims to the triage sector.	Cheryl checks over a victims injuries in the triage area.
Incident Commander, Vicki, redeploys the search team to look for more victims.	Matt and Cheryl assess and treat a victims injuries.
Alaine and Sandi rest after their hard work in the disaster drill.	Sandi works as "scribe", writing down radio traffic at IC.
The team debriefs and celebrates a successful CERT disaster drill. Great job, team!	Alaine locates a victim with injuries.

Deann Konkel hands out the certificates to KSARDA members on Aug. 28, 2004 at the CERT Banquet.

For More Information About KSARDA, Please Contact:  info@ksarda.org

Jennifer Thill, Deputy Director Southern Region	Annette Gaston, Director	Mary Meek, Deputy Director  Northern Region
E-Mail:  jthill3@cox.net	E-Mail:  bngsar@earthlink.net	E-Mail:  marysar@cox.net
Cell:  316-706-6226	Home:  913-592-2985	Home:  785-286-3397
Pager:  316-577-0301	Cell:  913-484-9291	Cell:  785-249-7127

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