VALLEY CITY, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – Valley City High School is proud to announce the launch of its Teen Community Emergency Response Teem (Teen CERT) program – a dynamic and hands-on training initiative that equips students with critical emergency preparedness and response skills.
The Teen CERT program, supported by FEMA and the Department of Homeland Security, is designed to teach high school students how to safely respond to a variety of emergencies and disasters. Through a combination of classroom instruction and practical exercises, students learn valuable skills such as disaster preparedness, fire safety, light search and rescue, and basic disaster medical procedures.
“This program is about more than just emergency skills,” said Jessica Jenrich, Barnes County Emergency Management and the coordinator of the Teen CERT program at the high school. “We hope it will empower our students to be leaders, to remain calm under pressure, and to take initiative in their communities when it matters most.”
The Freshman class enrolled in the Health Education class this year, will be taking in the inaugural training cycle, which began earlier in September. Upon completion of the second group in the spring, these Teen CERT members will be certified to assist first responders during emergencies, support community outreach efforts, and promote safety awareness throughout the school and greater Valley City community.
The program will also include a full-scale exercise that the students will be participants in May before the students are certified. The scenario will test teamwork, communication, and the ability to respond effectively under stress.
“CERT is ideal for helping teens develop and broaden their leadership skills while collaborating with others to benefit their community. CERT assists students in learning to protect themselves, their family, and friends if in an emergency or a disaster,” said Health Education teach Trevor Bakalar.
The Teen CERT program at Valley City High School is offered in collaboration with Barnes County Emergency Management. “Plans are already underway to expand this program to the other school in the County,” says Jenrich.
For more information about the Teen CERT Program or how to get involved, please contact Jessica Jenrich, (701)845-8188 or jjenrich@barnescounty.us
