Each year, many communities experience severe weather such as tornadoes, floods, or winter storms. Community Emergency Response Teams are trained to take care of themselves and others following a disaster.

The purpose of CERT training is to provide citizens with the basic skills required to handle virtually all their own needs and then be able to respond to their community’s needs in the aftermath of a disaster. 

In addition, Elk Grove Village CERT is designed to supplement Village operations during special events or emergency/disaster situations within and outside the Elk Grove Village limits.

CERT training promotes a partnering effort between emergency services and the people they serve. The goal is for instructors to train members of the community in basic response skills. These skills can help save and sustain lives following a disaster. Skills learned in CERT apply to daily emergencies and members maintain their skills by participating in exercises. The CERT course consists of approximately 20 hours of classroom and hands-on training. Classes are taught by trained professionals.

CERT members from Elk Grove Village will assist local emergency response agencies with local disasters, emergency responses, and assist in educating the public in emergency preparedness.

CERT members, when called upon, will be responsible for: 

• Disaster Preparedness: Disasters specific to the community and its infrastructure.
• Disaster Fire Suppression: Assist in reducing potential fire hazards and basic fire suppression.
  
• Disaster Medical Operations: Assist in the treatment strategies for life-threatening conditions, including head-to-toe patient assessment and treatment for various injuries.
  
• Light Search & Rescue Operations: Performing proper techniques for searching, lifting, cribbing,  removing, and rescuing victims safely.
  
• Disaster Psychology & Team Organization: Attend activation debriefs and partake in discussions to identify remedies with the focus of improving effectiveness and efficiency.
  
• Terrorism: Assist in identifying targets and possible threats.

Elk Grove Village hosts various special events throughout the year. CERT members volunteer at the following community events by providing traffic and crowd control:

• Summer Concert Series
• Electronics Recycling and Document Destruction
• Paint and Oil Recycling
• Play, Picnic & Party
• Rotary Fest
• Oktoberfest
• Fire/Police Department Open House
• Tree Lighting Ceremony