SUBJECT:

Invitation to Join Campus Emergency Response Team

Environment Health & Safety is seeking employees who have an interest in serving the campus community as members of the Campus Emergency Response Team (CERT). As a CERT member, you will be educated in disaster preparedness and hazards that may impact the campus, and in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations. CERT fills a critical role in helping the campus to be self-sufficient between the time that a natural or man-made disaster occurs and professional responders are able to help. UCSD also encourages CERT members to support local emergency response agencies by taking a more active role in emergency preparedness projects and emergency response in their home communities.

The background of CERT has roots in southern California. In 1985, the "Community" Emergency Response Team concept was developed and implemented by the Los Angeles City Fire Department (LAFD). The Whittier Narrows earthquake in 1987 underscored the area-wide threat of a major disaster in California. It confirmed the need for training community members to meet their own needs and to help others. As a result, the LAFD began training citizens and private and government employees. Since then, CERT has grown into a nation-wide program.

In 2005, EH&S launched the "Campus" Emergency Response Team program. Modeled after community programs, our CERT program trains campus volunteers to the same level of preparedness as do community programs. The program offers members the opportunity to participate in projects that improve campus safety, including role-playing in campus emergency preparedness exercises, learning advanced first-aid, and becoming familiar with campus emergency resources.

To learn more about CERT and how you can become involved, see CERT on Blink at http://blink.ucsd.edu/go/cert

Should you have any questions regarding the CERT program, please contact me at (858) 534-3659, or Phillip Van Saun, Manager of Emergency Services in EH&S, at (858) 534-1064.

Steve Benedict Director Environment, Health & Safety