The Department of Corrections has a number of outstanding employees. The Department prides itself on hiring candidates that receive the highest levels of training and meet strict background investigations, including 80 hours of mandatory training each year and continued Peace Officers Standards & Training (POST). However, the elite candidates are assigned to specialized units because of their special knowledge skills and abilities. During times of emergency, two units are formed: the Corrections Emergency Response Team and the Fire Safety & Inspections Team.
Corrections Emergency Response Team (CERT)
Revered as the department’s first responder for any life-threatening incident involving detainees/inmates CERT Team member must face perils tasks. Team members consist of a special set of highly trained extremely motivated officers and supervisors, called to action at the hint of danger or emergency. CERT members receive special training on numerous subjects ranging from negotiations, bomb search patterns, hand-to-hand defense tactics, non-lethal weaponry and crowd control. They use this special training and skills to resolve conflicts and protect department personnel as well as the general public.
Fire Safety & Inspections Team
Fire Safety Officers are given the responsibility of leaving their posts to respond to any hazardous or fire related incident of the department. Fire Safety Officers receive specialized training in fire inspections and how to respond to emergency situations within the Atlanta City Detention Center. These officers also receive training on the self-contained breathing apparatus, fire hose connections and fire extinguishers. These officers serve as the lead officer in any fire related emergency or evacuation of the facility. In addition to these duties, they act as instructors for the department during the annual fire safety and familiarization training.