Get Trained, Get Prepared, and Get Connected this Hurricane Season Through Volunteer Louisiana

June 13, 2022

Site Staff,

BATON ROUGE, La (press release) – Hurricane season is underway and now is the time to make sure you are prepared and trained to help your neighbors. Volunteer Louisiana is offering Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) trainings, encouraging people to Get Trained, Get Prepared, and Get Connected.

Get Trained

Volunteer Louisiana, in collaboration with the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOSHEP), is supporting CERT Training throughout the state. CERT is a program that educates volunteers in disaster readiness to prepare for hazards that may impact their areas.

Basic CERT trains individuals in disaster response skills such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations so volunteers can assist first responders and/or care for themselves and others during a disaster-related event.

Upcoming CERT Trainings:

East Baton Rouge CERT Training
- Dates: June 25 and July 16
- Time: 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

St. George CERT Training
- Dates: July 9 and July 23
- Time: 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

West Monroe CERT Training
- Dates: July 23 and August 6
- Time: 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Registration is required. Anyone interested in participating should visit the Volunteer Louisiana emergency preparedness webpage to sign-up.

Get Prepared

During the first 72 hours after a storm, first responders may not be able to reach affected areas, so it is vital to have a game plan. Make sure you have a family evacuation and communications plan, update your emergency supply kit, sign up for alerts from your local emergency management office, and monitor local news for hurricane watches and warnings in your area. For more information on how to prepare yourself and your family for hurricane season, visit www.getagameplan.org.

Get Connected

Volunteer Louisiana is encouraging volunteers to get connected with volunteer organizations before an event occurs. Many non-profit organizations utilize volunteers before, during, and after disasters, relying on their ready-trained volunteer corps to deploy as soon as needed. Through affiliating and training with non-profits, volunteers can be essential players in their community’s response and recovery. For more information on how to get connected to volunteer organizations, visit www.volunteerlouisiana.us.

Volunteer Louisiana, located in the Office of Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser, manages 16 AmeriCorps State programs, promotes volunteerism, and coordinates spontaneous, unaffiliated volunteers in times of disaster. It is supported by grants from the federal agency, AmeriCorps.