Fire Dept. Helps Locals Train for Disasters

With recent disasters like Superstorm Sandy fresh on our minds, the Redwood City Fire Department (RCFD) has decided to offer a three-session emergency and disaster preparedness course this month.

"Redwood City's Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program is a great way for neighbors to join together and learn how to prepare for and take care of themselves and their families, loved ones and neighbors when a disaster does happen," RCFD representatives said in an announcement this week.

"Whether flood, wildfire, mudslide, earthquake, airline crash, or terrorism - disasters come in all forms and severity, are unpredictable, and cause disruptions to emergency services," the announcement continued. "A large-scale disaster can overwhelm local emergency response resources such as police, fire, and emergency medical services."

The CERT program will provide participants with basic training in disaster survival and rescue skills, to help reduce loss and protect life and property during the most critical timeframe, until emergency responders can arrive.

Students will receive training in emergency preparedness, fire suppression, medical operations, light search and rescue, disaster psychology, team organization and terrorism. 

Upon full course completion, students will receive a Certificate of Completion.

The next three-day ERT training course is scheduled for January to February, and the courses often fill up fast, so the time to sign up is now, organizers said.

The CERT 2013 schedule is:

• Wednesday, Jan. 30, 6:30-9 p.m.
• Saturday, Feb. 2, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Saturday, Feb. 9, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

To register or get more information, contact Christy Adonis, Emergency Preparedness Coordinator serving Redwood City and San Carlos, at 650-780-5798 or cadonis@redwoodcity.org.

Participants must be at least 18 years old. There is no cost to attend. All classes are taught by fire department staff and CERT volunteers, and take place at the Redwood City Fire Station #9, 755 Marshall Street. 

More information about CERT, and the Redwood City Fire Department's other disaster preparedness efforts, is online at www.redwoodcity.org/disasterprep.

Do you feel you are prepared for a disaster? What have you done to prepare? Tell us in the comments below.

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