Training Teens to Make a Difference

Emergencies and natural disasters – they’re not things that most of us like to think about. But when it comes to situations such as these, proper preparation and training can play a crucial role in protecting ourselves and our community.

Do you know how to put out a small fire, treat the top three medical killers, or search for and rescue victims without putting yourself in harm’s way?
 
If you answered no, you’re not alone. Many other adults don’t either.
 
The local St. Louis teens who participate in the Mid America Teen Community Emergency Response Team, however, do know how to do all of these things – and much more.

The program, referred to as Mid America TEEN CERT for short, is designed to teach students ages 12 and older (including adults) to assist efficiently and effectively in the event of an emergency or natural disaster.
 
During the 22-hour training, students learn how to open airways, control bleeding, and treat shock, as well as how to organize volunteers and collect disaster intelligence in order to support the efforts of first responders. Instructors include paramedics, firefighters, doctors, and other qualified professionals, and Mid America TEEN CERT even has a gifted counselor on staff to teach the important element of psychological preparedness.
 
Youth volunteers who complete the training gain important skills, all of which enable them to help in the emergency situations that can arise in everyday life.

A St. Charles teen who took CERT classes in March of 2011, for example, put her training to use almost immediately when, a month later, she heard screams coming from the home of an elderly neighbor. The neighbor had inadvertently started a house fire, and thanks to her CERT training, the teen knew how to call the fire department and get the woman and her dog out of the home safely.
 
Teens who complete CERT training also come away with far more than simple emergency response skills. According to Mark Rosenblum, Program Director for Mid America TEEN CERT, students learn many valuable lessons that can have a lasting impact on their lives.
 
“Our program teaches the students to approach a situation calmly and logically, without putting themselves or others at risk,” Rosenblum said via email. “The training empowers students to understand that their decisions impact the outcome, and that knowing the dangers prior to implementing your course of action allows you to see more clearly when creating your plan. Mid America TEEN CERT teaches accountability, respect, trust, and team building.”
 
“Many of my former students have gone on to become doctors, nurses, surgeons, paramedics, etc.,”  Rosenblum continued, “claiming that it was because of what we taught them in class.”  
 
What Makes Mid America TEEN CERT Unique?
 
Community Emergency Response Training (CERT) programs exist around the country, as do TEEN CERT programs that are specifically designed to train youth volunteers. But Mid America TEEN CERT – which is not associated with any city or municipality and operates entirely without budget or funding – is in a class by itself.

With almost 600 volunteer participants, it remains one of the most popular youth programs in the nation, and last year was voted the runner-up for FEMA’s Individual and Community Preparedness Award in “Outstanding Achievement in Youth Preparedness.”
 
According to Rosenblum, one element that accounts for the popularity of the Mid America program are the various Boy Scout and Girl Scout merit and interest badges that are embedded within the standard TEEN CERT curriculum. But what he believes really sets his program apart from the rest is the fact that the students always come first.
 
“We care 100% about the welfare of each our students. I think that comes out in our training.”
 
Training Dates and Locations  
 
Mid America TEEN CERT training is free of charge and open to anyone 12 years of age and over, including adults. Trainings are held throughout the St. Louis region, and six upcoming training sessions are currently scheduled for 2013 (with three more being planned). Dates and locations include:
 
• Discovery Church in St. Peters, MO – 3/8, 3/9, 3/15, and 3/16/2013
• SSSM St. Joseph Health Center in St. Charles, MO – 4/12, 4/13, and 4/14/2013
• Beaumont Scout Reservation in High Ridge, MO – 5/17, 5/18, and 5/19/2013
• Camp Cedarledge in Pevely, MO 6/28, 6/29, and 6/30/2013
• Beaumont Scout Reservation in High Ridge, MO – 9/13, 9/14, and 9/15/2013
• Cuivre River State Park in Troy, MO – 10/4, 10/5, and 10/6/2013
 
Emergency situations can be scary, but with the proper preparation and training, even teens can learn to respond confidently and effectively – and maybe even save a life.
 
For further details about Mid America TEEN CERT, visit www.midamericateencert.samariteam.com or www.facebook.com/groups/MIDAMERICATEENCERT. You can also email Program Director Mark Rosenblum at mark.rosenblum@juno.com
 

By Alyssa Chirco, SmartMama blogger for SmartParenting

Alyssa Chirco is a St. Louis freelance writer, mother and margarita lover, not necessarily in that order. In addition to writing for St. Louis Kids, she is Contributing Editor for Parenting Squad, writes regularly about parenting and family for Lifetime Television's The Balancing Act, and firmly believes there are few problems in life that cannot be solved with a good margarita.