Kern County Prepared

VOLUNTEER – You can help!
American Red Cross

Become a volunteer and help provide community services, leadership and help to prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies. Contact us at 661-324-6427 or 800-498-4882 for those living outside of the Bakersfield area or visit our website at www.kernredcross.org.

The Kern Chapter has been serving Kern County, CA since 1917. We are responsible for the area from the Tehachapi Mountains to the western county border. Its jurisdiction covers over 6,000 square miles and serves a population of 680,000. The number one priority of the organization is to help citizens in times of emergency through disaster preparedness and response. American Red Cross National Information: To Donate: call 1-800-REDCROSS or 1-800-257-7575 (Español) or visit www.redcross.org.

Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)

The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program educates people about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations. Using the training learned in the classroom and during exercises, CERT members can assist others in their neighborhood or workplace following an event when professional responders are not immediately available to help. CERT members also are encouraged to support emergency response agencies by taking a more active role in emergency preparedness projects in their community. For more information .

CERT COORDINATORS IN KERN COUNTY

The following are names and e-mail addresses of CERT coordinators in Kern County. Please feel free to contact the coordinator in your area for more information on CERT and what you can do to get involved in your community for disaster preparedness.

Medical Reserve Corps (MRC)

During a disaster licensed and unlicensed healthcare professionals will be needed; as well as non-medical volunteers who want to share their special skills. Mental health professionals and counselors, translators, clergy and those with computer skills are also needed to serve. Apply online at www.co.kern.ca.us/health/emergency/volunteer.asp.

The mission of the Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) is to improve the health and safety of communities across the country by organizing and utilizing public health, medical and other volunteers. Healthcare workers are invited to promote/support a team of volunteers who will be trained and activated in times of disasters and emergencies. MRC team volunteers can include both licensed and non-licensed healthcare personnel such as physicians, nurses, pharmacists, dentists, veterinarians, and epidemiologists.

MRC volunteers also include many community members – interpreters, chaplains, office workers, and others – who are needed to fill key support positions.

For more information, visit the MRC website at:
www.medicalreservecorps.gov or call 661-868-0194. You may also apply for KMRC membership at:
www.co.kern.ca.us/health/emergency/volunteer.asp.

The Salvation Army

Whether it is a local incident or a major disaster, The Salvation Army relief staff and volunteers are often the first on the scene and are some of the last to leave. In most communities in America, The Salvation Army is already at work providing needed assistance with our programs, honoring a century-old commitment to serve those in need at the time of need and at the place of need. If you want to be part of The Salvation Army's Emergency Disaster Services Team, or if you would like more information, call 661-836-8487 or go to www.salvationarmyusa.org.