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Jay in the mid-70s |
CERT Jay has been very busy during his time in Branson when not onstage. Along with his oldest son Jason, and Jason's friend Scott Haynie, they have completed a 20-hour, 8-week course in emergency management. This all started when Jason set out to earn his Boy Scout badge for emergency preparedness. Jay said, "This was almost as exciting as when I earned my green belt!" |
| Thursday, October 23, 2003 was the end
of this course. Jay, Jason, Scott and the rest of their group, had
to suit up in regulation hats, gloves, and backpacks. There were 16
in their group. Sixteen victims were a part of the disaster exercise
in which they had to secure a building, identify victims, and deal with
"real life" situations that could present themselves in a disaster.
The Mayor of Branson and Fire Chief were on hand as their performance was
evaluated. The entire scene was filmed for the Branson local
television news that evening. Jay said, "I am so proud of Jason and
Scott, they really handled the emergencies well."
They are now certified to be a part of disaster teams, and are prepared to assist firemen as members of the volunteer emergency management team. |
More information on CERT, from the Citizen Corps website:Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)
The CERT course is taught in the community by a trained team of first responders who have completed a CERT Train-the-Trainer course conducted by their state training office for emergency management, or FEMA's Emergency Management Institute (EMI), located in Emmitsburg, Maryland. CERT training includes disaster preparedness, disaster fire suppression, basic disaster medical operations, and light search and rescue operations. Over the next two years, the CERT program aims to double the number of participants, with over 400,000 individuals completing the 20 plus hours of training. Train-the-Trainer sessions will be held in all 56 states and territories over the next year to expand the program throughout the United States. For more information about CERT, visit their official website. |
Photo from Karen Tjaden's Collection
Send your questions regarding Jay to Terri Shoemaker.
Website Designed and Maintained by Terri Shoemaker ~ © 2004 Jay Osmond - All Rights Reserved
The Community Emergency Response Team
(CERT) program helps train people to be better prepared to respond to
emergency situations in their communities. When emergencies happen, CERT
members can give critical support to first responders, provide immediate
assistance to victims, and organize spontaneous volunteers at a disaster
site. CERT members can also help with non-emergency projects that help
improve the safety of the community.