Community Bulletin
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The Upshur County Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management and the Upshur County CERT program are pleased to announce that the 2025 Fall CERT class will be held at West Virginia Wesleyan College starting October 7.
This is a 20-hour course where participants will learn how to help their families, friends, and neighbors by utilizing learned preparedness skills such as Disaster Preparedness, Fire Suppression, Terrorism Response, Medical Aid & Triage, Search and Rescue Techniques, Disaster Psychology, and Team Organization and Response. The course will culminate with a mock disaster scenario where students will be able to test what they have learned. Upon successful completion of the course, students will receive a free preparedness backpack and contents valued at over $150.00!
This is a free course; however, pre-registration is required. Visit cert.upshurcounty.org for more information and to register for the course. Registration closes October 3, 2025 at 4:00p.
See below for detailed information regarding the class.
Community Emergency Response Team Basic Training Course
Course Summary:
This approximately 20-hour course is open to the general public age 18 and older and is suggested for individuals with an interest in helping their family and neighbors through emergency preparedness and response. Students will participate in classroom and hands-on education, gaining a better understanding of how to help others until professional emergency responders arrive. This course serves as the base framework for other CERT classes and is required to be a member of our local CERT program. Students must attend all classes unless other arrangements are made with the instructor.
This training course will cover:
Disaster Preparedness
- Actions to take before, during, and after a disaster
- How to operate in a safe and appropriate manner
- CERT concept and organization, as well as applicable laws governing volunteers
Fire Suppression
- Safe use of fire extinguishers
- Sizing up the situation
- Controlling utilities
- Extinguishing small fires
Terrorism Response
- Terrorism threats and strategies in response
Medical Aid
- Diagnosing and treating airway obstructions, bleeding, and shock, using simple triage and rapid treatment techniques
- Head to toe assessments for patient evaluation
- Establishing medical treatment areas and providing first aid in a safe and sanitary manner
Search and Rescue
- Planning, size-up, search techniques, and rescue techniques
- Rescuer safety
Disaster Psychology and Team Organization
Signs and symptoms that might be experienced by disaster victims and workers
CERT organization, management principles, and the need for documentation
Disaster Simulation
- Hands on practice with skills learned during training sessions
Students successfully completing the course will receive a backpack and basic CERT equipment valued at over $150!
Dates, times & locations:
October 7, 14, 28 – 6:00p-9:00p
November 8 – 9:00a-3:00p
West Virginia Wesleyan College
Registration:
Course is FREE
Laptop recommended as student materials will be provided via USB drive in an effort to lessen printing costs. Printed student materials will be provided only by request.
All students must preregister. Registration closes October 3, 2025 at 4:00p.
Register by clicking cert.upshurcounty.org.
Please contact cert@upshurcounty.org with any questions or issues registering.
