Foundation
The Campus Community Emergency Response Team (C-CERT) is an off-shoot of FEMA’s Citizen Corps’ CERT program, designed to mold CERT’s basic principles to an academic institution setting. CERTs are formed by members of a community who want to be better prepared for the hazards that threaten their area. Initially. CERT programs were developed
to assist communities in taking care of themselves in the aftermath of a major disaster when first responders are overwhelmed or unable to respond because of communication or transportation difficulties. As the CERT concept has taken hold across the country, however, CERTs have evolved and proven themselves to be an active and vital part of their communities’ preparedness and response capability. When activated and deployed, C-CERTs can complement and enhance first-response capability in neighborhoods and workplaces by ensuring the safety of all during emergency situations. CERTs can assist professional or volunteer first-response personnel as directed. Each institution of higher education is basically a small city, facing the same problems and emergencies as any community. However, in terms of infrastructure and operation, each campus is unique. Stony Brook’s main campus has a resident population of nearly 10,000 and and a daytime population of nearly 60,000. Like many institutions, Stony Brook is comprised of:
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Different resident and transient populations
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Large capacity arenas and lecture halls
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Research facilities (a major factor at Stony Brook)
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Dormitories, cafeterias and maintenance areas
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Transportation facilities
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Satellite campuses and facilities (SB Southhampton and SB Manhattan)
The major goal of Stony Brook C-CERT program is to enhance the preparedness of citizens and first responders on our campus for all hazards, including natural disasters and terrorist attacks involving Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD).