On Aug. 1, graduates of the local Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training received their certificates. CERT is a FEMA-sponsored program that trains citizens in basic disaster response skills to help their communities when professional first responders are overwhelmed. In addition to those representing diocesan Catholic Social Services Emergency/Disaster Services, members of the Homewood Fire Department and the Jefferson County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) took part in the bilingual training. 

Following the graduation, the current director of the Jefferson County EMA, James Coker, reflected on his connection to the Diocese of Birmingham and his life’s work. During his time as a student at John Carroll High School, he served on the school’s Disaster Team. In 1974, the team of students aided those affected by the April 3 tornadoes that hit Guin, Hamilton, and Marion County, leaving 130 miles of destruction. The students catalogued relief supplies and worked in the field. In his senior year, 1976, Coker became captain of John Carroll’s Disaster Team. “The John Carroll High School Disaster Team received significant amount of training, especially in first response and as disaster volunteers,” Coker remembered. “We also helped teach first aid to the community on weekends and assisted with blood drives. Much of the training we received was similar to what is now taught in Teen CERT programs which are taught around the country. The diocese has been involved in disaster relief efforts since the 1970s. … the work was hard, but very rewarding.”

Continuing the long history of diocesan disaster relief efforts, the recent CERT graduates are certified not only in Jefferson County but also in multiple counties throughout the diocese. Tasked to start teams in their areas, the graduates will educate volunteers about preparedness and train them in basic disaster response skill, emphasizing fire safety, utility control, disaster psychology, disaster preparedness, light search and rescue operations, and basic terrorism training. To learn more, please e-mail jwatts@bhmdiocese.org.