CERT stands for Community Emergency Response Team. It’s when members from a local community decide to get together so that they’re better prepared for a disaster such as a hurricane or earthquake.

For anybody who was here during Hurricane Ivan, that doesn’t sound like such a bad idea.

“It was especially apparent during Hurricane Ivan that government first-responders couldn’t be everywhere; so basically communities needed to be able to survive for around three days on their own with basics like water and food, and by resident checking on their neighbours,” said Simon Boxall, Education and Communications officer, Hazard Management Cayman Islands (HMCI).

There are many ordinary people in each community who have a special skill, or something they can use for others who are more vulnerable- if they own a chain saw they might be able to get roads free from fallen trees; or if they have a pickup truck they might be able to deliver drinking water or food supplies.

The one thing we learnt during Ivan was that many people are willing to help in an emergency- they just don’t know where they fit in. in a nutshell, that is exactly what CERTs are all about.

Recently Mr. Boxall helped facilitate a brand-new CERT training programme for the North Sound Estates. The group meets every Friday evening at the ICCI building, where they go over the CERT programme from a printed booklet, covering topics such as C.P.R; first Aid; fire Safety and suppression; search and rescue, and initial damage assessment.

The first CERT in Cayman began as a Red Cross programme, begun by residents of the Belford Estates in Bodden Town.

“By 2008 it was decided this programme needed to be rolled out to other communities,” Mr. Boxall explained.

“At the moment between 12 and 15 different communities have become involved, and we have already held initial meetings at North Side, Prospect, Pease Bay, Bodden Town, and West Bay,” Mr. Boxall said.

“Those who are interested in starting a CERT in their community can contact Hazard Management Cayman Islands at 945 4624, or by emailing me: [email protected]. Alternatively they are welcome to come to the Government Administration Building in George Town,” Mr. Boxall added.