GET INVOLVED

Utah is nationally known for its spirit of volunteerism. In addition to preparing ourselves for the unexpected, there are great opportunities to reach out to our neighbors and community. As we get involved, we can make preparedness a part of service.

​

Here are just three of many ways to get involved in Utah preparedness efforts:

​

Community Emergency Response Team

 

Community Emergency Response Team, CERT, is a training program that prepares you to help yourself, family, and neighbors in the event of a disaster. As a member of a CERT team, you can respond to disasters, participate in drills and exercises, and take additional training.

​

Under the direction of the local emergency responders, CERT teams help provide critical support by giving immediate assistance to victims, providing damage assessment information, and organizing other volunteers at a disaster site. They also offer a potential workforce for performing duties such as shelter support, crowd control, and evacuation until trained emergency personnel arrive.

​

The CERT program builds strong working relationships between emergency responders and the people they serve as well as helping the community year-round by assisting with community emergency plans, neighborhood exercise, preparedness outreach, fire safety education, and workplace safety. CERT training takes about 20 hours to complete.

​

Participants learn how to: identify and anticipate hazards, reduce hazards in the home and work place, extinguish small fires, conduct light search and rescue, set up a medical technique and help reduce survivor stress.

Who should take CERT training? People interested in taking an active role in hometown preparedness.

For more information contact your local fire department or your city/county emergency management office.

​

Volunteer with the American Red Cross in Utah

 

Celebrating more than 125 years of service, the American Red Cross is one of the country's oldest and most active humanitarian organizations. The American Red Cross is productive and cost-effective with 98% of our work accomplished by volunteers like you.

​

What We Do Each year, scores of local disasters impact businesses and families in communities throughout Utah. Our volunteers are central to providing assistance in two vital ways:

1. We provide proactive training in advance of potential threats to enable our fellow citizens to prepare themselves for emergencies, protect families and associates from disasters when they come, and to help families return to productivity as soon possible after they have been affected.

2. When disasters hit, we are on the scene as soon as allowed by first-responders and law enforcement. We provide critical emergency services including food, shelter, clothing, health and mental health assistance.

 

We encourage you to be trained and to volunteer your time to help us serve our community and the nation. Red Cross volunteerism is enriching and very much appreciated.

 

For more information, contact the Greater Salt Lake Area Chapter.