A CERT member is an individual who has special skills useful in volunteer work before and during an emergency or disaster, has volunteered those skills in advance, has completed a course of basic skills training has been certified by the Chief of Police and Fire Services of the City of Lacy Lakeview.Training is held at the Lacy Lakeview Community Center, 505 East Craven. Classes are held on Thursday evenings for eight (8) weeks and end with an actual hands-on scenario. Class typically begins at 6:30 p.m. and is three hours each night. The final scenario is typically 3-4 hours. Complete the application, and bring to the Police Department, 503 E. Craven for processing.
If you have questions, contact Chief Dennis A. Stapleton @ 254-799-2479 ext 232 or dennis_stapleton@lacy-lakeview.org. You may also contact Fire Marshal Nathan Kelley @ 254-799-2479 ext. 224. We are excited to continue to expand this training program to our community.
Training continues after the initial CERT academy. The City of Lacy Lakeview also coordinates monthly training exercise with the City of Waco CERT. Further training is provided to develop skills and enhance each member's ability to remain prepared.
For more information, Contact:
Chief Dennis A. Stapleton
254-799-2479
The training program that the LAFD initiated proved to be so beneficial that the Federal Emergency management Agency (FEMA) felt that the concept and the program should be made available to communities nationwide. In 1994, the Emergency Management Institute (EMI), in cooperation with the LAFD, expanded the CERT materials to make the applicable to all hazards.
In 2003, President Bush asked all Americans to volunteer in the service of their country. The Citizen Corps program was created to spearhead this effort to harness the power of every individual through education, training, and volunteer service to make communities safer, stronger, and better prepared to respond to the threats of terrorism, crime, public health issues, and disasters of all kinds. CERT was selected as one of the primary programs offered to the American public to meet this challenge. In any major disaster or crisis, historically, many types of individuals have been quick to volunteer their special services and skill to meet the common need.
The City of Lacy Lakeview established a CERT program in 2004. The program is co-sponsored by the Heart of Texas Council of Governments (HOTCOG). Each program is basically developed to meet the needs of their community. In Lacy Lakeview, volunteer members will work within the City of Lacy Lakeview Emergency Management Office. The Chief of Police and Fire Services is the coordinator.