Programme 2: Community Emergency Response Patrollers (CERP)
Community Emergency Response Patrollers (CERP)
Programme Overview
The Community Emergency Response Patrollers programme provides community-based first-response support during emergencies.
CERP team members receive training in first aid and emergency response so that they can provide appropriate immediate assistance while professional emergency services or law enforcement are being mobilised or are on their way.
Community Served
CERP is designed to provide community-based first-response support to residents and community members in the areas served by BSCPP.
Purpose
The purpose of CERP is to strengthen the community's ability to provide appropriate immediate support during emergencies while professional assistance is being mobilised.
The First-Response Role
CERP members can provide appropriate immediate assistance within the scope of their training while awaiting professional emergency services.
This may include first-aid support and other appropriate emergency-response assistance.
CERP does not replace ambulances, paramedics, police or other professional emergency services.
Professional emergency services remain responsible for emergency medical care, law enforcement and other specialist responses.
CERP's role is to provide community-based support during the period before professional assistance arrives.
Training
CERP team members receive training in:
- First aid
- Emergency response
Further training and capacity development can help strengthen the programme's readiness and sustainability as resources become available.
How CERP Supports the Community
CERP team members receive training in:
- First aid
- Emergency response
Further training and capacity development can help strengthen the programme's readiness and sustainability as resources become available.
Intended Outcomes
The intended outcomes of CERP include:
- Strengthened community emergency-response readiness.
- Greater availability of trained community first responders.
- Increased first-aid capacity within the volunteer team.
- Appropriate immediate support during emergencies.
- Stronger coordination between community responders and professional emergency services.
These are intended outcomes rather than verified programme results.
A Connected Approach to Community Safety
PAAV and CERP address different parts of the community safety challenge.
PAAV focuses primarily on prevention through education and youth skills development.
CERP focuses on community-based first-response support during emergencies.
Together, these programmes form part of BSCPP's broader commitment to prevention, preparedness, community participation and safer communities.