2013 Spring C-CERT Classes to Being in February

Are you interested in learning more about emergency preparedness?  Have you ever wanted to do more to help others on campus or in your community during an emergency?  Would you like to be involved with helping evacuate a building on campus during a drill and/or an actual fire alarm or assisting others during a Shelter-in-Place event? 

If you answered yes to any of the above questions, you may be interested in a College-wide opportunity led by the Office of Emergency Management and Planning (OEMP) to recruit and train faculty and staff to become Campus – Community Emergency Response Team (C-CERT) volunteers (C-CERT is in addition to the College’s current building and floor warden programs).  Per Executive Order 41, Governor McDonnell approved twenty hours of work time for any state employees who wish to become C-CERT volunteers.  http://www.governor.virginia.gov/PolicyOffice/ExecutiveOrders/viewEO.cfm?eo=41

The C-CERT program will cover topics such as:  disaster preparedness, fire safety, disaster medical operations, light search and rescue, terrorism awareness, and more.  At the end of the training, each person will receive a backpack filled with items to help assist in an emergency and will become part of the growing C-CERT’s on his/her campus.

C-CERT classes will be held from 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM on the following three Fridays:  February 15th, February 22nd, and March 1st.  This semester, the classes will be held at the Medical Education Campus in room 356.  If you are interested in signing up to become a C-CERT volunteer you must first get your supervisor’s permission.  Also, you must commit to attending all three sessions. 

Below is the C-CERT job description.  If you are interested in taking part in the College’s C-CERT training program, please contact oemp@nvcc.edu for more information on how to sign up. 

Job Title: Campus Community and Emergency Response Team (C-C.E.R.T.) Member
 
Service Area: NOVA Campuses
 
Goal or Purpose of the C-CERT Team Member:
This position provides non-emergency and emergency evacuation and shelter-in-place support within NOVA’s Emergency Operations Plan to faculty, staff, students, and visitors affected by disasters on NOVA’s campuses and centers.
 
Major Responsibilities:
  • Assist with special needs evacuation
  • Assist building and floor wardens with general evacuation & shelter-in-place processes
  • Provide assistance at State Shelter and State Transfer Point if necessary
  • Community relations/distribution of emergency information to the public
  • Participate in drills and exercises
  • Participate in training and preparedness activities
  • Support for Emergency Management at College events
  • Emergency preparedness
 Qualifications:
  • Excellent listening skills
  • Reliable with the ability to remain calm during a crisis
  • Successful completion of mandatory training
 Training and/or Preparation Required:  C-C.E.R.T. Volunteer Training Curriculum – Mandatory
 
Time Commitment: Three – eight hour classes held on on Friday February 15th, February 22nd, and March 1st.
 
Benefits to the Volunteer:
  • Gain emergency management skills/experience
  • Achieve a great sense of personal accomplishment