Division of Fire

Westshore CERT

The CERT concept was developed by the Los Angeles City Fire Department in 1985 and adopted by the Federal Emergency Management Agency in 1993. The six Westshore cities of Bay Village, Fairview Park, Lakewood, North Olmsted, Rocky River and Westlake have partnered together to create a regional CERT to train and organize residents of those cities in disaster preparedness and response.

The Westshore Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program educates and prepares participants for hazards that may impact them in the event of a community emergency or disaster. When people are involved in CERT, they receive training in basic emergency response skills, including first aid, fire suppression and safety, light search and rescue. They obtain a better understanding of the hazards facing their homes and workplaces and can take steps to lessen the effects of such hazards.

CERT is a partnering effort between public safety agencies and the citizenry they serve. CERT members may be called upon to assist professional first responders in the event of a large-scale disaster or community emergency.

CERT members are trained to help themselves, their families and their neighbors in the event of an emergency or community disaster in which professional responders may be delayed. Although people will respond to others in need, the goal of CERT training is to help people do so effectively and efficiently without placing themselves in unnecessary danger.

Basic training takes place twice a year, in the Fall and Winter, with local emergency professionals instructing. The course is free and open to all who live and/or work in Lakewood and other Westshore suburbs, over the age of 18 years of age. Participants must successfully pass a criminal background check.

For more information or to apply to participate in the next class, please contact Tricia Granfors, Westshore CERT Coordinator (440-716-4135 or granforst@north-olmsted.com)

For more information, visit www.westshorecert.org