CERT CLASS SIGN UPS

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We still have plenty of spaces available for attendance to the 2012 class.  If you have not already registered, please get registration back into us as soon as possible!

Atascadero City Fire department to host

Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Class

Beginning Wednesday, February 1, 2012, the Atascadero City Fire Department will be hosting and teaching a Community Emergency Response Team or CERT class to interested citizens of Atascadero. The class will be a four week/eight module introduction designed to teach community members how to handle various emergency situations which may occur in a major disaster. The course was specifically created by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to teach community members how to deal with basic emergencies, when public safety personnel are not immediately able to respond due to other major incidents such as earthquakes, fires, floods or hazardous materials type incidents. This CERT training program is a 20-hour course with sessions covering disaster preparedness, disaster fire suppression, basic disaster medical operations, light search and rescue operations. The training also includes a disaster simulation in which participants practice skills that they learned throughout the course.

“If a large-scale disaster were to hit the community of Atascadero, many citizens would not know what to do,” said Jim Fitsche a certified FEMA CERT Instructor and one of the class coordinators. “The CERT class will give residents the knowledge and confidence to take positive action in times of need,” said Fitsche.

The CERT classes will be held on Wednesday nights beginning February 1^st and continue on the 8^th, 15^th and 22^nd. The Wednesday night classes will be from 5:30 pm to 9:30 pm. The course will conclude on Saturday, February 25th. The Saturday class will run from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm and will consist of a scenario where students will be able to take what they have learned and apply that knowledge to the situation. Following the conclusion of the scenario, students will be treated to a barbeque lunch provided by the Atascadero Firefighters Association.

“Emergency services within the City of Atascadero can be quickly overwhelmed when a major emergency or disaster strikes,” said Fire Chief Kurt Stone. “The CERT training will greatly assist emergency responders by providing trained members of the community ready, able and willing to help their fellow citizens in times of need,” said Stone.

The cost of the CERT class is $50.00 which covers the costs of the manual, a backpack filled with helpful equipment for handling emergencies and refreshments. Pre-registration is required and can be done online at www.northslococert.orgor by calling the Atascadero City Fire Department at (805) 461-5070.

Thank you,

Keith A. Aggson / Fire Captain / Atascadero City Fire Department / 6005 Lewis Ave. Atascadero, Ca 93422
Direct (805) 470-3314 / Cell (805) 748-9403 / Fax (805) 466-2907 / This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. /www.atascadero.org

CERT CLASS SIGN UPS

LOG ON TO www.northslococert.org