Taking CERT Experience To A National Level

Youth CERT training in New Sharon, Iowa - May 26, 2011

Oskaloosa, Iowa – Developing the tools to help protect the community in times of need, Mahaska County Emergency Manager Jamey Robinson is quickly becoming a top expert in the CERT Program.

Recently, Robinson was selected to speak at a convention in Kansas City. “FEMA was looking for representation from the local level through the state of Iowa so that we could come together and discuss youth participation in the CERT program. I was asked by Blake DeRouchey with Iowa Homeland Security, Emergency Management Division if I would represent Iowa as one of those because of our CERT Program that incorporates the youth from North Mahaska High School.”

Robinson says that the day-long course was a workshop on how people could develop the programs so that youth participants could get involved. “It was kind of nice, because… I hear locally that we have a good CERT Program. I feel we have a great CERT Program and that they’re hard workers, they’re out there when needed. The fire department’s used them. Law enforcement’s used them.”

Robinson says that usage of the CERT Team by agencies continues to increase, and that is exactly what Robinson had hoped would happen.

So, while there at the conference, Robinson was able to inform his counterparts around the county what is already in place in Mahaska County. “Stuff they were trying to figure out how they were going to do, [other CERT Programs], we already have implemented.”

The Mahaska County CERT Team currently has about 20 kids that take part. Robinson pointed towards the positive cooperation between North Mahaska and his office, “and I would really like to see that expand, and that’s something I’m going to task myself with doing.”

There were large group seminars along with small group settings. Robinson said those smaller group settings is where he was really able to make the CERT Team shine. “I had a couple of individuals from different states ask if I would be willing to go and speak with their organizations and help them get this stuff developed.” Robinson says though his real focus is right here in Mahaska County, “making sure our program continues to grow and blossom to the potential that it has.”

Youth CERT training in New Sharon, Iowa - May 26, 2011

I posed the question to Robinson why he wanted to grow a CERT team. “When I first started in emergency management, this sticker up on the wall said CERT, call this person. I honestly had no idea what it was. After I kind of got into it, I started to do some checking and thought, you know that’s a pretty interesting program.” From there, Robinson starting talking to people and before long he had his first class up and going. “After that, more people got involved. It’s kind of a growing thing, and for me to have these additional add-on resources to our already strong county resources is fantastic.”

Robinson pointed out one of the most recent examples of how the volunteers in the CERT program have helped. At a recent flare-up at B & B Bedding, CERT team members were able to take over for deputies and handle traffic control, allowing the deputies to continue with their needed service for calls. At the same time, other members of the volunteer CERT team helped the Oskaloosa Fire Department by handling a fire hose, and pushing it up the mound of mulch, allowing firefighters to do the job they are best suited for. “Again, we’re not just talking adults here, we’re talking youth members. We had younger citizens assisting with the incident command system. We have youth members that are in the command role actually. We have [youth] captains that oversee some of the adults. They take their roles very seriously, and that’s what I really like to see. I like to see those youth take that initiative to lead and to know what it is they’re suppose to be doing.”

Beyond the youth aspect of CERT, Robinson says that he is looking to continue the expansion of CERT. “From my standpoint, we’re still in the infancy of CERT. Yes we have a great program, but we’re really just touching the surface of this,” Robinson stated.