How NYC emergency management crews prepare first responders for worst-case scenarios

NEW YORK (WABC) -- New Yorkers are going to be hosting some big crowds in the city this summer with the World Cup and the nation's 250th, so any time there is an emergency in a crowded place, you need people who know what to do and how to keep everybody safe.

This is why the city trains regular New Yorkers in something called NYC CERT - that is the 'Community Emergency Response Team.' They got some very realistic training at the FDNY Fire Academy on Randall's Island for those kinds of emergencies. All injuries were 100 percent fake, and the fire was real and well-controlled by the Academy professionals.

Dozens of CERT members, old and new, walked away from here with a skillset, ready to help in a crisis. They are regular New Yorkers who have passed background checks and have agreed to commit their time to this training and volunteer service.

"They train in basic search and rescue, medical care, situational awareness, and traffic control. But some of these people have been CERT members for going on two decades now, so we all need a little training from time to time," said NYCEM Commissioner Christina Farrell.

"Having these trained members out there in the community that we can activate at any time is a huge benefit to us," added FDNY Deputy Commissioner Daniel Flynn.

It is a benefit to anyone who finds themselves in a hazardous situation or a safety threat, like Saturday night in Washington.

It is a way for New York City to be a little more prepared to keep everyone safe.

----------
* Get Eyewitness News Delivered
* Download our connected TV app
* More local news
* Send us a news tip
* Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts on the go