BOUNTIFUL—In the event of an emergency such as a car accident or a disaster like a wildfire, a quick response can save lives. The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program trains individuals on how to help until emergency personnel arrive. 

“Bountiful City offers the class to prepare people to take care of themselves, their families or neighbors in any disaster like a car crash or something bigger like an earthquake,” said Carly Kenney, Bountiful CERT Program Manager. “There are only so many first responders so we’ll largely be on our own for a while just because of the sheer numbers.”

The eight-week course teaches a wide range of skills that can be used in an emergency, she said. “The first week we teach emergency preparation that pertains to you personally. If you come to the scene of a car accident you’ll know how to more effectively give first responders information in an accurate way and act as a first responder until they get there which can save lives.”

The class also covers first aid, said Kenney. “They learn how to react to bleeding, shock and how to open an airway. Also basic first aid like insect bites and hypothermia. We do hands on splinting and bandages in class. It’s a lot of fun.”

In week five the class trains on disaster psychology, she said. “It helps you be aware of the victim’s reaction but also for yourself.”

Other classes include fire safety and light search and rescue, said Kenney. “We go out to the fire station bay and practice putting out fires. That’s everybody’s favorite. We also learn how to determine if it’s safe to enter a building and cribbing. Cribbing is safely lifting things off of people and safe lifts and carries if someone is trapped and can’t get out of a building. We stress the buddy system so no one is alone. We also teach rescuer safety. We don’t want you to be put in harm's way.”

The last week is on terrorism, she said. “Bountiful Police Lt. Dave Edwards shares his experiences in law enforcement.”

The class finishes with a mock disaster on the Saturday after the eight-week class ends. “We practice triage, cribbing and putting out fires,” Kenney said. “We set up a disaster scene and volunteers act as survivors. It’s pretty realistic. It gives everyone a chance to practice all that they’ve learned.”

The CERT training is once a week for three hours, she said. “It’s long so it’s a commitment. All the instructors are volunteers and they spend a lot of time so they like to have their classes full.”

Winter 2023 CERT classes start Jan. 18 and are held on Wednesdays from 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. at Fire Station 81, 255 S. 100 West in Bountiful. Registration ends on Dec. 19. To register, call South Davis Metro Fire at 801-677-2400 or online at sdmetrofire.org.

“We’ve usually offered it on two different nights a week so people could go to the other class if needed,” said Kenney. “But we decided for the winter we’d only offer it on Wednesdays. If the class is full we’ll open up another night.”

 The cost for the eight-week course is $40. “That includes a hard hat, CERT vest, other supplies like caution tape, a flashlight, basic first aid supplies, gloves and safety goggles,” she said. “There’s a manual that can be downloaded on the FEMA website.”

It’s incredible to walk away feeling more empowered, Kenney said. “I hadn’t used a fire extinguisher before. That’s just one tiny little thing I learned. This training makes our community safer.”