West County CERT is holding a basic training course in March at the Joint Forces Training Base. This is a golden opportunity to find out more about CERT and prepare yourself and family for an emergency event.
The CERT basic training course covers basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations. Using the training learned in the classroom and during exercises, CERT members are better able to assist their family, neighborhood or workplace following an event when first responders (paramedics, fire, police) are not immediately available to help.
Did you know….
In a wide spread emergency event like an earthquake, it could be 3 to 7 DAYS before any emergency responders are available to reach the neighborhoods and businesses in Western Orange County.
This is why attending the CERT basic training is so important for you – for the safety/survival of your family, if no other reason. Please make the time and take this course. Plus, you may even have some fun while you learn.
Course Dates:
Friday, March 16 6:00 p.m to 9:00 p.m.
Saturday, March 17 8:00 a.m to 5:00 p.m.
Friday, March 23 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Saturday, March 24 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Location:
Los Alamitos Joint Forces Training Base (JFTB)
Veterans Service Center Building 244
There is no charge for the course and is open to anyone 18 years or older; 16+ with parent or guardian permission; 14+ with parent or guardian participation.
Get your application here and follow the directions to register.
Still have some questions?
Here are some of the questions we hear most often from people before they register and attend the course:
Why should I attend?
Your CERT training may be used just for your family, or in neighborhoods, businesses, and schools. Trained CERT members realize that in the event of a major disaster they may be required to rely on themselves and their neighbors to handle emergencies until first responders arrive.
The primary reason for CERT training is to give people the decision-making, organizational, and practical skills to offer immediate assistance to family members, neighbors, and associates while waiting for help. While people will respond to others in need without the training, the goal of the CERT program is to help people do so effectively and efficiently without placing themselves in unnecessary danger.
And you just may have some fun while you learn how to survive the next disaster.
How does CERT benefit the community?
People who go through CERT training have a better understanding of the potential threats to their home, workplace and community, and can take the right steps to lessen the effects of these hazards on themselves, their homes or workplace. When a disaster happens that overwhelms local response capability, CERT members can apply the training learned in the classroom, and during exercises, to give critical support to their family, loved ones, neighbors or associates in their immediate area until help arrives. CERT members can also assist with non-emergency projects that improve the safety of the community.
What if I want to do more than just the basic training?
CERT members can increase their knowledge and capability by attending classes on animal care, special needs concerns, donation management, community relations, shelter management, debris removal, utilities control, advanced first aid, Automatic External Defibrillator use, CPR skills, and others. CERT member also can use their skills to help the program flourish by volunteering for scheduled events.
What if I have concerns about my age or physical ability?
There are many jobs within a CERT for someone who wants to be involved and help, such as documentation, comforting others, logistics, etc. Non-disaster related team activities may include keeping databases, developing a website, writing a newsletter, planning activities, helping with special events and organizing exercises and activities.
During CERT classroom training, if one has a concern about doing a skill like lifting, just let the instructor know. You can learn from watching. We would like everyone who wants to go through the training to have an opportunity to participate and learn the skills. CERT educates participants about local hazards and trains them in skills that are useful during disaster and life’s everyday emergencies.
What about liability?
The text of the Volunteer Protection Act of 1997 is available to view here. Also there is information about State Liability Laws from FEMA and the Citizen Corps. During training, each sponsoring agency should brief its CERT members about their responsibilities as a CERT member and volunteer.
Wendy says
January 19, 2018 at 1:04 amIs the courze ALL 4 days?
Or, one day?
Or, two days?
westcounty-admin says
January 21, 2018 at 4:50 amGood question, Wendy.
The CERT Basic Training course is all four days as it covers a number of modules including understanding how to get you and your family prepared, first aid, light search and rescue and hands on activities to put these skills in to practice.