Calhoun County, AL – In a bid to equip teenagers with essential emergency response skills, the Calhoun County Career Technical Academy (CCCTA) hosted a momentous event today, celebrating the graduation of participants from the Teen CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) program. The event, held at the academy’s premises, saw a gathering of graduates, mentors, and community leaders.
Kristen Waddell with the Calhoun County Career Academy and Brittney Reaves with the Calhoun County Emergency Management Agency (EMA), took the stage to welcome attendees and explain the significance of the Teen CERT initiative. They emphasized the program’s pivotal role in preparing young individuals to effectively respond to a myriad of emergencies and disasters within their communities.
Teen CERT is a comprehensive training program aimed at imparting fundamental disaster response skills to teenagers. Participants undergo rigorous training sessions covering diverse topics including fire safety, search and rescue operations, medical treatment, triage, terrorism awareness, and disaster psychology. The overarching goal is to empower youth to play an active role in bolstering community resilience during times of crisis.
Collaboration was key to the success of the Teen CERT program, with various stakeholders joining forces to support its implementation. Partners such as the Calhoun County Schools, Career Technical Academy, Calhoun County EMA, Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office, and Jacksonville Fire Department lent their expertise and resources to ensure the program’s effectiveness.
During the graduation ceremony, attendees had the opportunity to reflect on the comprehensive training received throughout the program. Units on disaster preparedness, fire safety and suppression, search and rescue, first aid and medical treatment, triage, and terrorism were covered extensively, providing participants with a well-rounded skill set to tackle emergencies.
In a notable session led by Ellen Hurst from the East Alabama Regional Planning and Development Commission, med prep students were equipped with specialized knowledge on dementia-friendly emergency preparedness. This underscores the program’s commitment to addressing diverse community needs and ensuring inclusivity in emergency response efforts.
A heartfelt acknowledgment was extended to key individuals who contributed significantly to the program’s success. Myles Chamblee and Jessica Smith from the EMA, Deputy Williams from the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office, and David Bell from the Jacksonville Fire Department were recognized for their invaluable contributions as instructors throughout the training sessions.
As the graduates step into their communities equipped with newfound skills and knowledge, they embody the spirit of resilience and service. The Teen CERT program stands as a beacon of hope, fostering a generation of empowered youth ready to make a positive impact in times of need.
