Media Release

ALACHUA COUNTY, FL - Alachua County Emergency Management is enrolling citizens for its Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program. The program's seven sessions are on Tuesday evenings, and each runs from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Sessions are held at the Alachua County Emergency Operations Center (1100 SE 27th Street, Gainesville), and begin Tuesday, May 3, 2011. The registration deadline is May 2nd.

The CERT sessions cover the following topics:

·         Disaster Preparedness

·         Fire Safety

·         Disaster Medical Operations

·         Light Search and Rescue Operations

·         CERT Organization and Disaster Psychology

·         Terrorism and CERT

Ebbin Spellman, Alachua County Emergency Management Coordinator said, "It is never too early to begin preparing for the 2010 Hurricane Season, and there’s no better way than to attend the CERT program." He continued, "CERT teaches citizens how to prepare for, respond to and recover from disasters."

Residents who miss the May CERT program will be able to attend later sessions beginning July 5, and September 6, 2011.

For more information and to register, click here or call 352-264-6500.