Printable Version
CERN - A Community-Wide Model for Disaster Preparedness
In the event of a terrorist strike or severe natural disaster, citizens and local institutions may be out of contact with government for three to five days. At both the organizational and citizen levels, community resilience depends on knowledge about major contingencies, prior planning and taking reasonable precautions.
| Local volunteers are being trained to be of assistance to professional responders in the event of a terrorist strike or severe natural disaster. |
The Community Emergency Response Network (CERN) was established following a series of community meetings held in the Foundation office in early 2002. It was formed in recognition of the fact that county residents could be affected by a terrorist strike or natural disaster in the Greater Baltimore-Washington Region. Depending on the nature and scope of the incident, the health consequences to Howard County could be enormous.
Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge has said, "Americans should be prepared in their homes, neighborhoods, schools, workplaces, places of worship and public places from the potential consequences of terrorist attacks. [They] should support local officials, including in police departments, fire departments and community health centers, who are often the first to respond . . . ."
The Department of Homeland Security recently gave national recognition to CERN, describing the program in its national publications and outlining CERN's community-wide model to thousands of cities and communities across the country. In the past year, the National Association of Counties (NACO) presented an award to the county for CERN's community mobilization activities.
CERN supports government disaster planning through coordination of the emergency plans and resources of participating members. Its 42 members devoted the past year to upgrading the planning capabilities of local institutions and systems, enhancing communications, exercises to test readiness, volunteer training and expanded public information. Information about CERN is available on its website at: www.cern.us.