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4 | LIFE IN SOLERA | MARCH 2024 | Solera CERT Cadre Recently, members of the Solera CERT Cadre just completed our monthly training sessions at the Oakmont Clubhouse. We were dressed up in our green CERT vests as we exited the building. A couple of residents were walking to the clubhouse when one of them quipped "What is CERT?" We eagerly explained the government funded program and left the residents intrigued by the potential good that the CERT program presents to the residents of Solera. Based on this quick encounter, I realized that there are many residents who have no idea what CERT represents and why residents should get involved. The Community Emergency Response Team or CERT is a program developed to empower residents to be self-resilient after a disaster event occurs. In September 1985, Mexico City experienced an 8.1 earthquake. Average citizens tried to render aid and execute rescue operations but with a limited set of skills. Unfortunately, many Good Samaritans became additional victims and caused a greater problem for the already strained first-responder resources. There will always be humanitarians and Good Samaritans during the aftermath of a disaster event. To mitigate the horrible outcome of rescuing the rescuers, CERT educates residents about disaster preparedness for the hazards that may impact our area and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and household first aid operations. The premise of the program is self- resilience at the foremost and if you are capable contact your neighbor to assess their potential needs. Those who have the skills and mindset to render aid to the community are encouraged to organize and team-up. In the case of Solera residents, we would gather at the Clubhouse parking lot and employ preset disaster relief protocols. As our motto states, we're "Seniors Helping Seniors." Why is this so important? In a disaster, normal activities will be disrupted; police, fire, 9-1-1, and ambulances will be quickly overwhelmed and may not be able to respond to Solera for 72 hours. Residents need to be able to take care of themselves until the professional emergency responders arrive. It is up to us to survive at home, in our neighborhood, and within Solera. We especially need to focus on those neighbors who are alone or incapable of caring for themselves after a catastrophic event like an 8.1 earthquake. To learn more about the Solera CERT Cadre visit our website at https://www.solera-cert.info. ~ Written by Ray C. Gayton-Jacob, coordinator for the City of Beaumont/County of Riverside CERT program at Solera WHAT IS CERT? For Seniors By Seniors: Take responsibility to protect your life! Prepare NOW for a sudden emergency

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