Every CERT graduate is encouraged to take additional CERT training after they complete Basic CERT.  In an effort to encourage additional training, the Spartanburg County CERT Team has created two additional levels of CERT training.  These additional levels are Intermediate CERT and Advanced CERT.  The criteria for both are noted below:

Intermediate CERT

• Basic CERT Training

• Basic Storm Spotter Training

• IS 100 - Introduction to Incident Command System

• IS 700 - National Incident Management System (NIMS), An Introduction

• First Aid/CPR

• Participation in at least 3 CERT drills and/or full scale exercises on a re-occurring annual basis

Advanced CERT

• Intermediate CERT Training

• Advanced Storm Spotter

• IS 200 - ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents

• IS 800 - National Response Framework

• First Responder, Ham Radio Operations, or Search & Rescue Fundamentals 

• Participation in at least 5 CERT drills and/or full scale exercises on a re-occurring annual basis

Please note that the criteria noted above is subject to change.  However, for now, Intermediate and Advanced CERT training levels are based on the criteria noted above.

By the end of 07, we planned to have trained 225 people in Basic CERT training.  We actually trained 245 people and we are very excited about our progress.  So far, of those 245 Basic CERT Trained Members, 57 are First Responders, 31 are Ham Radio Operators, and 42 are TEEN CERT Members.

The Teen Community Emergency Response Team (Teen CERT) Program educates students about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations. Using the training learned in the classroom and during exercises, Teen CERT members can assist others in their schools, neighborhood or workplace following an event when professional responders are not immediately available to help. Teen CERT members also are encouraged to support emergency response agencies by taking a more active role in emergency preparedness projects in their community.

The core Teen CERT program has three main goals. First, it will seek to provide students with a knowledge base on the effects of natural and man-made disasters and their emotional, social, and economic impacts. Secondly, it will aim to build decision-making and problem solving skills and strategies to help students make informed decisions regarding readiness, response & recovery and mitigation efforts to reduce loss of life and property. Lastly, an integral part of the Teen CERT program will be to provide students with hands-on training using reality-driven drills and exercises. 

Teen CERT works and should your school want to participate please contact:

Robbie Swofford, CERT Coordinator

Office of Emergency Management

PO Box 5666

Spartanburg, SC 29304

(864) 595-5368

rswofford@spartanburgcounty.org

By 2008, Spartanburg CERT would like to be composed of 325 Basic CERT members oh which 80 are First Responders, 45 are Ham Radio Operators, and 70 are Teen CERTS.  We hope, as we have the last two years, we can exceed our expectations.