UT Launches Student-Led Emergency Response Training Program

Students at The University of Texas at Austin have a new opportunity to give back to their community in times of greatest need - by joining the UT Campus Emergency Response Team (UT CERT). Sponsored by UT's Office of Security and Emergency Management, UT CERT is a newly formed, student-led group that trains student volunteers in emergency preparedness and safety skills to assist the campus during natural disasters or other emergencies.

The CERT program, under the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), has programs in all 50 states, on college campuses and in high schools across the country. Since CERT became a national program in 1993, more than 600,000 people have been trained through more than 3,200 local CERT training programs. The city of Austin launched its own CERT program this summer.

UT CERT aims to enhance the preparedness, resilience and safety of the University by training and organizing student volunteers to respond effectively in emergency situations. Volunteers can learn basic first aid and compression-only CPR, locate and learn how to use automated external defibrillators (AEDs) and take Stop the Bleed training. They will also be trained in fire safety, light search and rescue, radio operations, the Incident Command System and other instruction offered through the UT CERT program.

After completing training and participating in the culminating disaster exercise, the UT CERT team will support the University's existing emergency management operations by performing basic response activities, including checking on the UT community, completing damage assessments, and helping manage shelter operations if necessary. This allows professional responders to further dedicate themselves to essential, life-saving care.

The student-led team will serve as campus ambassadors, promoting awareness and best practices for campus safety and provide emergency management training to equip fellow Longhorns with the skills to handle emergency situations. This community education is especially important as the first people on the scene of an incident are typically community members, not professional responders.

UT students can participate in trainings without joining the UT CERT team. To learn more and sign up for available trainings, visit the UT CERT website.