Texas was the second stop for instructors from Eastern Michigan State University who have received a grant from the Office of Grants and Training, Department of Homeland Security to deliver a pilot class across the United States called TEEN CERT Train the Trainer.  Sam Houston Sate University’s Law Enforcement Management Institute (LEMIT) hosted the course that was held August 10-12, 2006. 

The course prepares participants to present the National Model Teen CERT Training Program at their respective high schools.

Teen CERT is a National Training Initiative that prepares youth to “mitigate, prepare, respond and recover” from a disaster that may happen at their school or home. The program is designed to teach them to help themselves, their families and their school in the event of a disaster. The program covers the areas of fire safety and basic fire combating techniques; recognizing injuries and basic first aid, CPR, basic team building and emergency communications systems.

“In an emergency, 95 percent of the time a bystander or victim is the first to provide emergency assistance or rescue,” said Gary Zulinski, project coordinator for the Teen CERT grant project. “Having students and teachers trained will help save lives in the event of an emergency.”

Teen CERT is designed to change the culture of disaster preparedness and response by empowering youth in disaster mitigation, said Gerald “Skip” Lawver, associate professor for EMU’s School of Technology. The training also prepares students to articulate into the Schools Disaster Response Plan as additional trained resources should a disaster strike.  Lawver help implement the program in Michigan in 2005.

“This program is intermediate level training designed for young adults between the ages of 13 and 18,” Lawver said.

Teen CERT was first piloted in Michigan at Milan High School in 2005 when 16 students and three parents trained in disaster skills such as fire suppression, first aid, CPR and search and rescue techniques. This first Teen CERT team has become part of the school’s disaster response team and has become a valuable asset for the school.  An additional 16 students where Teen CERT trained this recent school year and the first team are assisting in a pilot program in the middle school. 

Instructors received an instructor first-aid pack, instructor manual, CD Rom with all the forms, pre-post examinations. Schools that implement the Teen CERT Model in their high schools will receive $200 for expenses, back packs for each student (up to 25) enrolled in the program and student manuals. There is no cost to the school.

Tatum High School Junior Michelle Betts learns to evaluate and extinguish a fire.

Tatum High School Junior Michelle Betts learns to evaluate and extinguish a fire.

Students demonstrate splinting to the class.

Students participate in teaching modules of the TEEN CERT Curriculum.

Sherryanna Eldridge of Coryell County demonstrates and discusses Head to Toe Assessments.

Instructor Skip Lawver leads classroom discussion