Cool Under Pressure? Then CERT wants YOU!

The Kerr County Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) will host an informative open house on Saturday, Sept. 28, as part of its active search for new squad members.

“Are you someone who can remain calm under pressure and are willing to lend a hand when someone is in need? If so, then you may just be the perfect fit for CERT,” said Kerr County Emergency Management Coordinator William B. “Dub” Thomas.

“We need team members who can keep a level head in an emergency and who are willing to be trained so they are ready and able to help our community in the immediate aftermath of a disaster,” Thomas said.

Current squad members will be on hand during the upcoming, come-and-go open house informational event, scheduled to start at 9 a.m. in the training facility located adjacent to the Kerr County Sheriff’s Office, 400 Clearwater Paseo in Kerrville.

CERT members are the first “boots on the ground” after a disaster and, often in less-than-ideal circumstances. They are relied upon to provide situation assessments and recon for emergency agencies before they can arrive on scene. “The role our CERT squad members play is vital to the immediate aid of our citizens and to our emergency personnel who want to help them,” Thomas said.

“Toward that aim, we are looking for folks who have the presence of mind during stressful events to provide accurate damage assessments, tackle the logistics of organizing volunteer responses and maybe even coordinate the distribution of emergency food and water supplies to people – neighbors – who are adversely impacted by disasters of any nature,” Thomas said.

A requirement to be on CERT is completion of the mandatory basic training weekend, which is scheduled Oct. 25-27.

Training topics will range from disaster preparedness, fire safety and utility controls, disaster medical operations and light search and rescue operations to CERT’s organization, disaster psychology, terrorism and more.

Kerr County CERT meets regularly on the second Thursday of each month.

Applications to be a CERT squad member are available for download at the following link: https://www.co.kerr.tx.us/sheriff/cert/apps/html

“A significant portion of any response and recovery is done by volunteers who are willing to do whatever is needed. Are you willing to help your neighbor in their time of need?” Thomas said.

For more questions or information, contact Thomas at wthomas@co.kerr.tx.us or at 830-315-2430 during regular business hours.