Nonprofit encourages community safety

Cy–Fair residents may see several permanent and mobile cargo containers housing essential emergency and disaster relief supplies throughout the community thanks to the efforts of the Cy–Fair Community Emergency Response Team—a nonprofit organization made up of 19 teams and more than 500 members trained by Harris County officials and volunteers in emergency and disaster preparedness.

"It is important that people understand that you never know what kind of situation you could come upon, so we try to give basic knowledge around how to approach certain situations," said Laurie Gablehouse, chairperson of CERT's board of directors. "What we are trying to accomplish here is to give people the tools and knowledge of the basics so they are not a victim in the case of a disaster."

To better prepare the country for emergency situations, the Obama administration ordered the largest counties in the country to train and implement CERT teams to prepare for any situation. More than a decade later, Cy–Fair CERT has been able to train hundreds of individuals in lessons such as fire suppression, medical operations, search and rescue procedures and terrorism.

Cy–Fair CERT has stockpiled supplies such as generators, backboards and various medical and search and rescue materials to prepare for any event. The organization also offers free basic training courses, which began in April.

Available programs include first aid and disaster training, search and rescue procedures, evidence recovery and moulage training, which features simulated injury make-up to provide realistic scenarios for CERT members.

"Our number one goal is people's safety," Gablehouse said. "Training helps determine which situations you have the confidence and experience to be involved in, and which ones you do not."

Exercises — CERT offers real-life training, and by partnering with local fire and police departments CERT members are able to partake in training exercises in order to stay on point with their learnings. Each year, the organization hosts several training exercises, featuring real-life emergency and disaster situations ranging from vehicle accidents to fires to acts of terrorism.

In the classroom — Weekly CERT training classes are offered free of charge through the Harris County Citizen Corps in eight three hour sessions. Classes are 6:30–9:30 p.m. every Wednesday from April 3–May 22. Curriculum covers an array of basic knowledge and practice. Members receive a badge and certification upon completion and are able to walk away confident and ready to respond to an emergency or disaster scenario.

In the field — Hands-on training includes first aid and disaster training, search and rescue, and evidence recovery to name a few. At the end of the eight-week course, members are able to participate in a course review simulation in which they are placed in a realistic envrionment and have to put into practice the knowledge they have acquired. CERT utilizes moulage artists, who use wound make-up to give a sense of realism to the exercise.

Supplies — Cy–Fair CERT owns and maintains a 20-foot cargo container in its Copperfield staging area and implemented two Supplies Available for Emergencies, or S.A.F.E. programs in Stone Creek and Fairfield in 2009 and 2010, respectively. The following year, the organization received its Mobile Emergency Response Trailer, fully equipped with a communications system and supplies.

Bear Creek United Methodist Church, Family Life Center, 2nd floor, 16000 Rippling Water Drive, www.cyfaircert.org