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BUSINESS BRIEFS

CERT Programs to Expand for 2008

Special to the Emeryville Connection
December 2007

The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), a program taught by the Emeryville Fire Department under the guidance of Fire Chief Steve Cutright and the supervision of Captain Jason Beach , will expand to three public classes in 2008. Two new refresher classes for certified CERT members will also be added to the program next year.

The CERT program is a concept that was developed by the Los Angeles City Fire Department in 1985 for the purpose of training citizens and government employees to react to large scale disasters. This program proved so successful that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) decided to expand the program to communities nationwide. Emeryville, through its Fire Department and its commitment to the community well-being, has adopted this program and made it available to both residents and City employees.

“We encourage residents and employees of Emeryville to benefit from the CERT program as it enables them to take care of themselves, their families and their immediate community at times when first responders are unable to reach them,” stated Fire Chief Cutright. “In large scale disasters, like an earthquake, residents might find themselves on their own for at least 48 hours. CERT training will help them assess and respond effectively to their situation during these tough days.”

The CERT training is a 20 hours class and teaches the following basic skills:

· Emergency preparedness

· Fire safety

· First Aid

Emergency medical operations

· Light search and rescue

· CERT organization

· Disaster Psychology

· Terrorism and CERT

A four-hour drill at the end of the class allows students to practice their newly acquired skills and participate in a live simulation.

2008 Schedule of classes.

Three CERT training sessions are scheduled for 2008 as follows:

January Class: January 24 – March 15

8 consecutive Thursdays from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm. Saturday March 15: Final exercise from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. followed by a graduation ceremony.

May Class: May 31 – June 28

5 consecutive Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday June 28: Final exercise from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. followed by a graduation ceremony

July Class: July 24 – September 13

8 consecutive Thursdays from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Saturday September 13: Final exercise from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. followed by a graduation ceremony

Two refresher classes for current CERT members will be announced at a later time.

With such a strong program and 95 Emeryville residents and employees already certified, Emeryville is well under way to becoming one of the best prepared cities for a large scale disaster in the East Bay.

For inquiries about Emeryville CERT or reservations for a class, please, send an email to cert@ci.emeryville.ca.us or contact Marcie Anderson at the Emeryville Fire Department at 510-596-3750. Class size is limited, please register early.