Building resiliency through community emergency response teams and hazardous waste worker training programs

As natural disasters become more frequent and intense, response at the local level will become even more critical, especially for vulnerable communities. Community Emergency Response Teams (CERTs) prepare community members for hazards that may impact their families and neighborhoods during major disasters. As such, they play an extremely important role in community resiliency during disasters. Members are trained in basic disaster response skills and can assist during the first 72 hours of a disaster. These are the most critical hours for any community following a disaster as environmental conditions are generally unknown and professional responders with HAZMAT training may not be immediately available to assist. However, like any professionals responding to a disaster site, the health and safety of CERT members must be protected. Hazardous worker training programs, such as those supported by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) Worker Education and Training Program (WETP), can help enhance CERT programs as worker trainers from the program have a variety of expertise, experience, and background not only in disaster response, but also with local workplace hazards that can impact nearby communities. For instance, worker trainers who work at nuclear facilities can share their expertise and experience on radiological incidents and hazardous materials to CERTs located near nuclear facilities. Team members who have been trained can also share what they have learned and help their families and neighbors lessen the impact of potential disasters. Through active preparation and proper safety and health training, CERT members can be better prepared to mitigate and prevent major health risks in their communities.