CERT Team Continues To Train To Serve

Mahaska County Deputy Brent DeRonde (left) talks about the driving course CERT members will navigate.

Oskaloosa, Iowa – Where and how do you place your emergency vehicle at the scene, or when do you use your emergency lights?

These are among the many different questions that were answered for the Mahaska County CERT team this week at a training event at the Oskaloosa Airport.

Josh Stevens is the Mahaska County Emergency Management Deputy Coordinator. Stevens was present during the most recent training, which was taught by the Mahaska County Sheriff’s Office, and in particular Deputy Brent DeRonde.

Stevens said that the CERT team operates under Emergency Management when it comes to their involvement in disaster situations.

Even though the Mahaska County CERT team is is own 501c3 organization, “Emergency Management coordinates all of the training so that we can utilize them,” said Stevens.

Emergency vehicles are a tool for responders, “especially on a traffic scene” where the lights and vehicle serve to warn people to stop or slow down.

“We want to make sure no matter what situation we put the CERT Team in, they’re comfortable and confident to operate the vehicle and understand what the legalities are, and the best use of equipment.

Stevens said that DeRonde set up a mock traffic accident “to kind of introduce them to some different lines of thinking that you wouldn’t normally have unless you’re in first response.”

DeRonde is a certified driving instructor through the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy.

The evening didn’t start off behind the wheel. Initially DeRonde held some discussion with the CERT members about different driving techniques.

DeRonde then lead members through some vehicle backing drills, straight line backing with some speed to help drivers feel the steering wheel input.

“We’re in a great environment here [Oskaloosa Airport] where we can push the cars a little bit and people can start to feel where the limits are,” added DeRonde, who hoped to pass along skills through the drills being taught.

CERT members learn how to utilize their emergency vehicle to assist first responders.

Those types of situations when CERT may be utilized would include a disaster event such as a house fire or flooding. They are also often utilized for planned community events like RAGBRAI.

Because CERT members are asked to use their emergency lights to help alert drivers to the presence of danger, utilizing those lights in a correct and proper way was part of the training received by team members.

“Basically, the CERT Team augments and complements what we already have for first responders. Whether it’s traffic control, or providing basic first aid, or light search and rescue. Basically, it’s what we call in first response as a force multiplier,” added Stevens.

CERT Teams have a curriculum they follow that has set national standards developed with FEMA. “They, [CERT Team Members] go through different modules to make sure they achieve the basic training requirements,” said Stevens.

One of those modules often used in Mahaska County is firefighter rehab.

When firefighters have on all of their protective gear, it can become extremely hot during the summer months, and will cause heat stress issues for personnel.

The CERT Team is looking for funds to help buy some cooling vests, and build a rehab trailer to help firefighters recover quicker.

The fire in Fremont over the summer highlighted the need for such tools, when the extreme temperature caused firefighters to quickly become overheated and exhausted.

“Our CERT Team brings out hydration equipment, as well as water and gatorade,” said Stevens. Those resources are available based upon donations from the community. “They are a really big asset.”

Having trained volunteers is important; as DeRonde said, “They work in concert with us at the sheriff’s office and police department and with all the emergency services, so it’s good for them to understand some of the things we’re doing, why we’re doing it and how they can work in concert with us.”

You can find out more about the Mahaska County CERT team by visiting their website – https://www.mahaskaready.com/cert.html