The search and rescue section highlights systematic searches of rooms and how to rescue someone using cribbing.

A basic first aid section addresses assessing patients for breathing, bleeding, and shock, and gives you the skills to deliver initial treatment. This section also provides the criteria for triage done by the CERT teams, which enables the EMS to be more efficient when they arrive on the scene.

One section introduces the Incident Command System (ICS), an emergency-response communication system.

The disaster psychology training section increases your awareness of how you and others could feel during a crisis, and ways to help cope with those feelings.

The section on terrorism heightens your awareness of potential threats, including area-specific issues.

The course ends with a “hands-on” exercise: real-life simulation to help the responders use what they have learned and identify which skills they need to refine.

We are planning additional training sessions on triage, CPR, basic first aid, hospital radio and phone communications, and basic decontamination procedures for the hospital and fire department.

Community Engagement

The Citizen Corps Council and the Madison County Department of Emergency Services are encouraged by the community’s enthusiasm and willingness to be a part of the emergency response network.