Would you know what to do if an emergency or disaster happened in your neighborhood? Wade Campbell, CERT Academy instructor and team leader, joins Sarah Johns to explain how the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program helps Northern Nevada residents learn practical emergency preparedness skills while creating opportunities to give back to their community.

The free CERT Academy teaches participants how to better prepare themselves and their families for unexpected emergencies. During the six-day training, participants learn nine different subject areas, including first aid and medical operations, light search and rescue, fire extinguisher use, hazardous materials awareness and railroad safety.

After completing the academy, participants can simply take their new knowledge home—or choose to become CERT volunteers supporting the Washoe County Sheriff's Office. Wade shares how volunteers serve throughout the Reno-Sparks community, assisting at local events and helping other agencies when additional manpower is needed.

One example happened at the Reno Rodeo, where CERT volunteers provided nearly 1,300 wristbands for children that could include a parent's phone number. The simple safety measure helped deputies more quickly reunite children who became separated from their families. CERT volunteers have also supported public health operations by helping direct traffic, provide information and keep large community clinics running smoothly.

Wade also explains how to join an upcoming academy, who can participate and why learning these skills can make a difference long before a major disaster ever occurs.

🚨 Segment Highlights:

🚑 Prepare Before an Emergency Happens

• Learn practical skills for unexpected emergencies and disasters

• Take valuable preparedness knowledge home to your family

• Understand potential hazards you may not have considered before 

🎓 Free CERT Academy Training

• CERT stands for Community Emergency Response Team

• The academy takes place over six days across two weekends

• Training is offered four times each year 

🧯 Learn Real Emergency Response Skills

• First aid and medical operations

• Fire extinguisher use and fire safety

• Railroad emergency preparedness 

🤝 Become a Community Volunteer

• Graduates can choose to volunteer with the CERT program

• CERT teams support the Washoe County Sheriff's Office

• Volunteers help at community events and during local operations 

🤠 Keeping Families Safer at the Reno Rodeo

• CERT volunteers distributed nearly 1,300 child safety wristbands

• Parents could include their phone number on the wristband

• The program helped law enforcement reunite lost children with their families 

🏥 Supporting Public Health

• CERT provides additional volunteer manpower when needed

• Volunteers can assist with traffic, directions and information

• Teams provided extensive support during COVID-era community clinics 

🎒 Training, Knowledge & Preparedness Gear

• The CERT Academy is completely free

• Graduates receive a prepacked emergency preparedness backpack

• Participants leave with new skills to help prepare themselves and their families 

📅 Upcoming CERT Academies

• Training is offered quarterly

• Academies are held in January, April, July and October

• Participants apply through Washoe County 

🌐 Learn More & Apply:

Visit the Washoe County website and search “CERT Program” to learn about upcoming academies, apply for training and discover opportunities to volunteer in your community.

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