A second cohort graduated from the Teen CERT program, which fulfills the West Hartford Public Schools Mastery Experience requirement.

2023 Teen CERT graduates. Courtesy photo

By Ronni Newton

During a summer school program that’s anything but “typical,” high school students sprayed fire extinguishers on actual fires, searched for missing persons, and put their first aid skills to the test. They also experienced first-hand what it’s like to try to find possible victims in a smoke-filled room.

This group of students is now much better prepared to assist with disaster preparedness and emergency response following completion of the Teen CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) Basic Training Class, held earlier this summer as a collaboration between West Hartford Public Schools, the West Hartford Office of Emergency Management, and the West Hartford Fire Department.

Teen CERT participants learn how to extinguish a fire. Courtesy photo

Last year, the inaugural year for the Teen CERT program, there were 19 participants. This year it was nearly double with a cohort of 35 students – rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors at both Conard and Hall high schools – who also satisfied their mastery experience requirement by completing the program. An approved “Mastery Experience” must be completed before graduation from a Connecticut public school – a requirement that first impacted the class of 2023.

During the seven-day Teen CERT Basic Training Class, held June 22-30, students attended class at Conard High School, which began at 8 a.m., for the program that was a mixture of classroom and hands-on training.

Teen CERT Classroom training. Courtesy photo

Teacher Mike McGarry, an environmental and earth science teacher at Conard, assisted the students with the specific mastery program requirements during the final hour of each day, but other classroom time was spent with special guests who included Bob McCue and Bob Hilborn from the Office of Emergency Management, Fire Chief Greg Priest, West Hartford Fire Department paramedics, and West Hartford Animal Control officers.

“Students in the class received training in a variety of subjects which included emergency preparedness, completed the American Heart Association Heartsaver Training Class, and learned how to conduct searches and active shooter training,” said McCue, who is the town’s deputy Emergency Management director.

2023 Teen CERT program. Courtesy photo

There were several field trips as well – including tours of the West Hartford Fire Department and West Hartford Police Department headquarters and the Public Works facility on Brixton Street.

2023 Teen CERT program. Courtesy photo

At the end of the program, the students participated in a drill held at 100 Mayflower Street where they extinguished actual fires, searched the building for missing persons (play actors were used this year rather than manikins) based on various scenarios, and put their first aid and victim carrying skills to use. In a smoke-filled room, they learned how to use an Infrared camera to find victims.

2023 Teen CERT program. Courtesy photo

Assistant Chief Hugh O’Callaghan presented the Teen CERT graduates with certificates of achievement once they completed their final exams.

The students also earned official certification from the American Heart Association for completing the Heartsaver course as well as CPR and AED certification, and received a Teen CERT shirt, and a backpack from the Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (DEMHS) that was filled with first aid equipment, a safety helmet, flashlight, and other emergency supplies.

2023 Teen CERT program. Courtesy photo

McCue noted that the program is also supported by the Capitol Region Council of Government (CRCOG) as well as DEMHS, which provided $1,000 in funding to purchase the shirts and CPR manikins for the class.

Connecticut’s “Mastery-Based Learning,” as described by the State Department of Education, emphasizes college and career readiness and is student-centered, empowering students to take ownership of projects based on their own interests.

In West Hartford, the mastery experience corresponds to the district’s “Vision of the Graduate.” Mastery projects include demonstration of collaboration, effective communication, inquiry and critical thinking, and problem solving and creativity.

Once they’re 18, the students can be adult members of CERT.

Teen CERT participants learn how to extinguish a fire. Courtesy photo

2023 Teen CERT program. Courtesy photo

2023 Teen CERT program. Courtesy photo

2023 Teen CERT program. Courtesy photo

Participants in the Teen Cert Program learned to use of an infrared camera in a smoke-filled room. Courtesy photo

2023 Teen CERT program. Courtesy photo

2023 Teen CERT program. Courtesy photo

2023 Teen CERT program. Courtesy photo

2023 Teen CERT program. Courtesy photo

One of the activities in this year’s Teen CERT class was experiencing what it was like to be in a smoke-filled room. Courtesy photo

Teen CERT participants learn how to extinguish a fire. Courtesy photo

2023 Teen CERT program. Courtesy photo

2023 Teen CERT program. Courtesy photo

2023 Teen CERT program. Courtesy photo

Visit to the Public Works Department. 2023 Teen CERT program. Courtesy photo

Teen CERT Classroom training. Courtesy photo

2023 Teen CERT program. Courtesy photo

2023 Teen CERT program. Courtesy photo

Learning CPR. 2023 Teen CERT program. Courtesy photo

Learning CPR. 2023 Teen CERT program. Courtesy photo

2023 Teen CERT program. Courtesy photo

2023 Teen CERT program. Courtesy photo

Like what you see here? Click here to subscribe to We-Ha’s newsletter so you’ll always be in the know about what’s happening in West Hartford! Click the blue button below to become a supporter of We-Ha.com and our efforts to continue producing quality journalism.