The Denver Mayor’s Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security offers the disaster preparedness and response training for all types of hazards that could potentially impact our area.
“The ability of a community to recover from a devastating terrorist event, a natural disaster or emergency requires active planning, participation, and cooperation from citizens,” said Dan Alexander, Director of the Office of Emergency Management. “While each individual shares the responsibility for preparedness, proper training and support are vital to minimize the effects of a disaster.”
Well-trained citizens can assist others in the immediate aftermath of an emergency event when professional responders may not immediately be available to help. The CERT program specifically trains citizens in disaster planning and basic response skills such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization and disaster medical operations.
The Office of Emergency Management often partners with local groups to conduct training. Partner organizations have included the Center for African American Health, Colorado Asian Health Education and Promotion, Denver’s Commission for People with Disabilities, Denver’s Commission on Aging, Denver Indian Center - Native Americans, Gay and Gray in the West, Colorado Muslim Society, St. Cajetan Catholic Church, Retired Seniors Volunteer Program, Colorado Federal Executive Board, Rocky Mountain Intergovernmental Continuity Council, Denver Regional Volunteer Organizations Active in Disasters, READY Colorado, Colorado North Central Region Citizen Corp Council (10 counties and 16 cities in the Denver metro area), various faith-based organizations, government agencies and others.
The program’s professional training partners include the Denver Fire Department, Denver Police Department, Denver Health and Hospitals, Mile High Chapter of the American Red Cross, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Denver Human Services, Denver Parks and Recreation, Colorado North Central Region Citizen Corp Council, Colorado Division of Emergency Management and the Governor Office of Homeland Security.
For more info and or questions about Denver's CERT effort, contact Carolyn Bluhm at (720) 865-7600 or at carolyn.bluhm@denvergov.org
