Volunteer teams compete in mock emergency scenario

Southeast Michigan team earns best score LANSING, MI-- This past weekend, six volunteer Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT) from across the state competed in the fourth annual CERT Games testing their response skills in a mock all-hazards emergency scenario. During the competition, teams were required to demonstrate skills that could be needed when responding to an emergency situation, including evaluating a scene, fire suppression, search, rescue, triage and medical treatment. Within each of these skill sets, teams were scored on their safety techniques, teamwork, time and knowledge of the CERT curriculum. The multi-jurisdictional team from Southeast Michigan earned the highest score, winning the overall CERT Games; the team was comprised of volunteers from Detroit, Huron Township, Northville, as well as volunteers from Lansing/Ingham County and Livingston County. Other participating teams included Ionia County, Kent County, Lansing/Ingham County, Sterling Heights and Washtenaw County. The CERT Games, which were held at the Howell Conference and Nature Center, were hosted by the Michigan State Police, Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division (MSP/EMHSD), in partnership with the Michigan Citizen Corps Program and the City of Dearborn Fire Department. ''The CERT Games serve as an important training opportunity for volunteer CERT members to test and develop their response skills, which may be needed while assisting first responders and their communities during an emergency,'' said Capt. W. Thomas Sands, commander of the MSP/EMHSD. ''Often times during an emergency, first responders may not be able to reach everyone right away, so it is imperative that CERT members are trained and ready to help save lives and protect property.'' There are currently 75 registered CERT programs in Michigan, which is the sixth highest number in a state nationwide. To learn more about CERT and how to become a member, visit www.michigan.gov/citizencorps. Additional information about the MSP/EMHSD can be found online at www.michigan. gov/emhsd, on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MichEMHS or on YouTube at www.youtube. com/MichEMHS. The Michigan State Police, Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division is responsible for coordinating state and federal resources to assist local government in response and relief activities in the event of an emergency or disaster, as well as coordinating homeland security initiatives and various federal grants. Copyright © 2011 State of Michigan Published: Thu, May 26, 2011