Media Release

Community Emergency Response Team Class To Begin

Monday, September 18, 2006 1:00 AM
4:29 p.m.
 
ALACHUA COUNTY - The Alachua County Division of Emergency Management has scheduled a new Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training class.  The CERT training class will meet for seven weeks on Thursday nights, beginning on October 26 and concluding on December 14, excluding Thanksgiving. All classes will meet from 7:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the Alachua County Emergency Operations Center, 1100 SE 27th Street, Gainesville.
 
A CERT is a group of citizens that is organized and receives special training (CERT training classes) that enhances their ability to recognize, respond to and recover from a major emergency or disaster situation.  When a major emergency overwhelms normally available resources, such as emergency responders, response delays of hours or even days may occur.  CERTs are created so that citizens with "basic skills training" should be able to immediately assist those in distress.
 
Training includes the following topics:
  • Disaster Preparedness
  • Fire Safety
  • Disaster Medical Operations
  • Light Search and Rescue
  • Disaster Psychology and Team Organization
  • Terrorism and CERT

Upon successful completion, each team member will receive a FEMA/EMI Training Certificate.  Only team members 18 years of age and older will be eligible for the certificate, but children aged 14 and up may participate in the classes if accompanied by a parent or guardian

The registration deadline for the CERT class is October 20. Class size will be limited to 25, so interested parties are encouraged to register early.
 
Persons interested in participating can visit the CERT page on the Division of Emergency Management website at http://www.alachuacounty.us/government/depts/fr/em/getready/cert/ to obtain an application and read about the CERT program.
 
For more information, or to enroll in a CERT class, citizens can contact Eric W. Bertsch, Emergency Management Operations Coordinator, at (352) 264-6530 or email him at ebertsch@alachuacounty.us.

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Contact

If you have a disability and need an accommodation in order to participate in a County program, service or public meeting, please contact the Alachua County Equal Opportunity Office at 352-374-5275 at least 2 business days prior to the event. TTY users please call 711 (Florida Relay Service).

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