Community Emergency Response Team
MRC/CERT
Mission:
Strengthen community preparedness and response to emergencies through trained volunteer teams to assist the people of Woodford County.
People often want to volunteer at the time of a disaster. Untrained well-intended persons, who rush to the sight of a building collapse, are likely to add to the disaster and become injured or trapped also.
A team of trained volunteers familiar with local plans for mass medication will be valuable to Woodford County in a public health emergency. Should the need arise to give vaccine or antibiotics to the community (24,000 people) in a short time span (48 hours) a trained team is an asset that cannot not be measured.
Community residents, in and out of county, train to assist in time of disaster. The skills and background of volunteers are valuable to Woodford County Medical Reserve Corps/ Community Emergency Response Team (MRC/CERT). Volunteers do not need a medical background to join the team. Volunteers are currently working or retired with medical and non-medical backgrounds. Examples of volunteer backgrounds are:
Medical Background: (all disciplines)
Non-Medical Background: (all areas) business, engineers, retail, electrician, plumber, clerical, homemaker, hairdresser, military, ministry, child-care, translator, amateur radio, disaster survivor, equipment operator, teacher just to name a few.
MRC/CERT members are community volunteers. They are trained to personally plan for a disaster, help their family first, their neighbor and then if able, help the community. The team can also be a resource for community health education programs throughout the year.
Ten (10) basic trainings are offered. The initial trainings are based on FEMA’S CERT Trainings. Additionally, local plans including large-scale medication clinics (entire population in 48 hours) and the role of MRC/CERT have been added. Trained professionals teach the classes from 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. at Fire Station #2 on Big Sink Pike in Versailles. Current trainings and dates are listed in the newsletter available as a link on this website.
MRC/CERT are trained to work as a team and do what they are comfortable with in an emergency. A team newsletter is done every six (6) months: Winter/Spring and Summer/Fall. ID badges are issued after completion of training.
Class teaches personal steps to prepare yourself/ family for a disaster including utility shut-off (gas, water, electric), home, community and workplace preparedness, building a disaster supply kit for your home and the Incident Command System
Trainer: Keith Slugantz, Director W. C. Emergency Management
Sarah Cunliffe, Sr. Adm. Assistant, W.C. Health Department
II. Fire Safety
Class teaches fire safety including fire chemistry, fire hazards, safe use of portable fire extinguishers, teamwork, hazardous materials, reducing /identifying fire risks at home, in the workplace or community, basic fire size-up, safety precautions.
Trainer: Josh Devore, Training Officer, Versailles Fire Department
III/IV. Disaster Medical I & II
Classes teach triage (evaluating victims and sorting by urgency of treatment needed), techniques for opening airways, control of bleeding, treating shock/ basic wound care and applying splints to fractures. Also teaches head to toe assessments.
Trainer: Hunter Shewmaker, Director, W. C. Emer. Medical Services
Sarah Cunliffe, Sr. Adm. Assistant, W.C. Health Department
V. Search and Rescue
Class teaches size up for potential search & rescue situations, common techniques for searching a structure, safe techniques for debris removal and victim extrication and ways to protect rescuers during search and rescue events.
Trainer: Josh Devore, Training Officer, Versailles Fire Department
VI. Disaster Psychology/Amateur Radio
Class teaches emotional support skills to help survivors/rescue workers and the role of Amateur Radio in emergency response.
Trainer: Guest speakers
VII. Terrorism/Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) and Shelter-In- Place
Class defines terrorism, identifies potential targets in the area and clues that help identify when something has occurred/may be going to occur and defines the role of MRC/CERT.
Trainer: Keith Slugantz, Director W. C. Emergency Management
Sarah Cunliffe, Sr. Adm. Assistant, W.C. Health Department
VIII. Disaster Simulation
Apply newly learned knowledge and skills from prior trainings in a simulated disaster situation. MRC/CERT work in teams with a team leader in groups of 4-6 people.
Trainer: EM, EMS, VFD, WCHD
IX. Local Mass Medication Plan, Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) and Shelter Operations
Details local plans to medicate 24,000 people in a short time span and role of MRC/CERT. Class identifies shelter roles/ responsibilities and deals with special needs populations.
Trainer: Sarah Cunliffe, Sr. Adm. Assistant, W.C. Health Department
X. Mass Casualties/Fatalities
Class talks about plans on handling a mass causality event in Woodford County and the role of MRC/CERT.
Trainer: Steve Ward, W.C. Coroner
Kathy Love, CEO Bluegrass Community Hospital
Volunteer Application/ Information Form
Class Information:
· Classes are taught year round
· Please complete the Volunteer Application/ Information Form and mail to:
Woodford County Health Department
229 North Main St
Versailles, Kentucky 40383
· For additional information please contact Sarah Cunliffe (859) 873-4541 or email sarahe.cunliffe@ky.gov
The coalition is a non-profit organization made up of cancer survivors, health organizations and concerned citizens dedicated to providing support, education and advocacy. The coalition meets monthly. Contact Geri Tincher at the health department for additional information (859) 873-4541 or email gerig.tincher@ky.gov
Volunteers are trained by the Red Cross and teach Making a Plan and Building a Disaster Kit to elementary school children. Contact Sarah at the health department for additional information about this program (859) 873-4541 or email sarahe.cunliffe@ky.gov
Volunteers for Health and Wellness Programs
If you are interested in volunteering to help with health & wellness community activities/programs call Geri Tincher (859) 873-4541 email gerig.tincher@ky.gov
The Fire Safety House is used for youth education. The Versailles Fire Department will train you to help with the Fire Safety House if interested. Call Sarah at the health department (859) 873-4541 or email sarahe.cunilffe@ky.gov