As hurricane season continues through Nov. 30, representatives with several organizations and programs are working to educate citizens in preparation for potential disaster.
“Most Texans along the coast have learned to take hurricanes seriously and prepare ahead of time,” said Rosio Torres, media specialist with the Harris County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. “However, some of the more than 1 million people that have moved into our area more recently may not understand how tropical systems can affect them. It is imperative not to be complacent because it only takes one storm to devastate a community.”
One local program dedicated to preparing Cy-Fair residents is the Community Emergency Response Team, which offers an eight-week course at no charge. Participants receive a manual and backpack with starter supplies. Training includes disaster preparation, fire safety, medical operations, search and rescue, disaster psychology and terrorism. Certification is available upon completion of the course, CERT officials said.
Cy-Fair CERT President Dan Lyall said the program is valuable for residents of all ages and backgrounds.
“Most private citizens are not familiar with how to deal with a small, medium or large disaster,” he said. “We’re taught how to go out and size up a potential disaster. A lot of times in your neighborhood, [residents are] there at the scene before the first responders so [they’re] able to give them a lot of valuable information when they arrive.”
HCOEM officials have called upon CERT to act as support staff during past emergency events, including the April 18 flooding event earlier this year.
Cy-Fair CERT has also started a program that goes beyond the basic eight weeks of training—the Rapid Response Team. Members of the team are available at a moment’s notice, Lyall said. They have additional training in CPR, first aid and emergency response protocol.
As for hurricane season, Lyall said preparation is not optional.
“You’ve got to have water and food stored up, money on hand, gas in your vehicles and an exit plan,” he said.
Registration is open for the Cy-Fair CERT program, which will run from Sept. 13 through Nov. 1. Classes take place every Tuesday from 6:30-9:30 p.m. and are held at Cy-Fair Volunteer Fire Department Station 98, located at 11631 Yearling Drive, Houston.
Additional reporting by Hannah Zedaker