Citizen Emergency Response Training (CERT):
As of 2006 there are over 575,000 citizens living in El Paso County. In the event of a major disaster, county law enforcement, fire services and emergency services resources would be stretched beyond their capabilities.
The President has asked all counties in the United States to create a program that will support law enforcement, fire services and other emergency service personnel, and help citizens to be self-sufficient during the first critical 72 hours immediately following any type of disaster, whether natural or human-caused.
As a county, we want to be prepared to face any situation that might affect our way of life. The blizzards of the 2006/2007 holiday season, floods of 1999, the Ellicott Tornado in 2001, the Hayman Fire and events of September 11th demonstrate how important it is for us to prepare to take care of ourselves, our family and neighbors.
Sheriff Terry Maketa has directed the Emergency Services Division to design and implement the CERT Program (link to CERT schedule etc) to accomplish the goal of enhancing the safety of all El Paso County citizens.
We will provide CERT classes upon request for groups, organizations and businesses. We recommend no less than 15 students per class. For more information please call the Emergency Services Division at (719) 575-8400.
It’s time to take control and CERT can help!
To find out more about the Emergency Services Division, click on any of the links located below.