Suzanne Bagony and Anne Carr have received certification in Community Emergency Response Team Training (CERT), making them among the first to be called out in the event of a man made or natural disaster.

Their CERT training provided insight in disaster preparedness, fire safety, disaster medical operations, light search and rescue, disaster psychology and terrorism. The program consisted of 20 hours of training and featured hands-on training that included putting out a fire, cribbing, developing a disaster supply kit and conducting head-to-toe assessments.

Ms. Carr, a faculty member at the college since 1969, explained that while emergency personnel are the best trained and equipped to handle emergencies; however, following a catastrophic disaster, the community may be on its own for a period of time because of the size/location of the area, lost communications and impassable roadways.

The CERT team, of which the Bagony and Carr are members, can be activated by the local coordinator. In the event of a local emergency, team members can also be called out by the fire chief. The sisters also passed an online course offered by the National Incident Management System (NIMS) receiving their certification.

The local training and on-line course was offered to Bagony and Carr during September and October and was taught by Lisa Tolliver.

Ms. Bagony, who serves as the SKCTC manager of external education programs, is a registered nurse and an American Heart Association CPR instructor as well as an American Red Cross and first aid instructor. In the event of a man-made or natural disaster, she could be called out immediately to assist in emergency operations.

Carr explained her willingness to receive the training as a means to help the community and to be able to serve with her sister. “Because we are sisters, Suzanne told me I had to participate in this training so we would be in the same general area should a disaster strike,” she said. “Suzanne said, ‘I can’t be worrying about where you are or what is happening to you.’

The women acknowledge that they enjoyed the training immensely and it was something “new” from their regular teaching duties.

“Some will scoff and think that we in southeast Kentucky and Harlan County are too far removed from any real threats,” said Carr, “but one thing I learned is that terrorism for us in not so far fetched at all. More than likely, however, we would be affected by a natural disaster; I am glad my sister talked me into taking the training.”