Training

This week I am going through CERT training. I am doing it so that I can learn more about the organization I'm working to help, but also because of the individual benefits. Volunteers who are CERT certified can be beneficial in local disaster response, but they are also presented with all the tools they need to become personally prepared. As Rita Hoffman, Chairperson of Olathe KS CERT, puts it "the fewer people we have to rescue, the better off we all are." People who have taken precautions and discussed family safety plans are less likely to need immediate assistance in a disaster situation.

I would also like to throw this out there: if your city does not have a CERT program, you can join a neighboring CERT team. Check this website to see CERTs near you.

CERT

Today marks the beginning of my official summer internship. I will be at Johnson County Emergency Management & Homeland Security through at least the end of July. My new round of projects includes working on CERT program awareness.

CERT stands for Community Emergency Response Team. The volunteers in CERT go through training that teaches them the skills and knowledge to assist in disaster situations. It will be my job to increase public awareness, obtain community promotions, and assist in managing local Johnson County CERT teams' resources.

In Johnson County, KS, the CERT teams are divided by city. For more information regarding individual CERT teams in this area, click here.

For more information on CERT in general, visit their website.

Intern Mania

We're getting more interns! I think this system is a win-win for everyone involved. The organization gets work done for free, and the students get experience in the working world. This time around we're getting our own "intern room." If you're looking for an internship, let me know!