Last year, the Boy Scouts of America and US Department of Homeland Security teamed up to develop an initiative called “Emergency Preparedness BSA” as part of the BSA’s 100th anniversary.  In April 2009, the Greater St. Louis Area Council BSA and district executives requested the assistance of the St. Charles County TEEN CERT program to pilot the more advanced emergency preparedness training program beginning with 50 troops and over 1500 young adults from the Boone Trails District.  Along with several firefighters from local fire departments, myself and other qualified instructors teach medical, fire safety, search and rescue, etc.  On my staff, I also have the privilege of having a very gifted crisis counselor from the Crider Center who teaches the psychology aspect of an emergency to the participants.

I believe that one of the best ways to prepare our communities before a disaster strikes is to teach students 12 years and older, including adults how to help themselves and others when emergency personnel may be too overwhelmed to respond during the first 72-96 hours following a disaster.  The TEEN CERT program is primarily the same program as the adult CERT course, but includes a great deal more information and emphasis on team building and emotional health.  The course teaches students how to better prepare themselves, families and communities for emergency situations.  With this joint TEEN CERT/BSA program, in addition to the Scouts receiving a state-issued certificate of completion for TEEN CERT, the students can earn their Emergency Preparedness, First Aid, Fire Safety, and Safety merit badges, as well as the “Good Turn for America” award.

Presently, the TEEN CERT program in St. Charles County is a model for other Scouting programs and schools around the nation.  The popularity of the St. Charles County program has grown into other cities, organizations and districts requesting the TEEN CERT course that is underway in the Boone Trails District.