Media Release

ALACHUA COUNTY, FL - Alachua County Emergency Management is enrolling citizens for its Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program. The seven classes are free and are on Tuesday evenings.  Classes begin March 8th, and run through April 19th. Each session runs from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Classes are held at the Alachua County Emergency Operations Center (1100 SE 27th Street, Gainesville). Registration deadline is March 7, 2011.

The seven week class covers the following topics:

·         Disaster Preparedness

·         Fire Safety

·         Disaster Medical Operations

·         Light Search and Rescue Operations

·         CERT Organization and Disaster Psychology

·         Terrorism and CERT

If you miss the deadline, or can’t make it to the classes listed above, there are three more scheduled classes this year, beginning May 3, July 5, and September 6.

"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." said Ebbin Spellman, Alachua County Emergency Management Coordinator. "CERT teaches citizens how to prepare for, respond to and recover from disasters."

To register, or for more information click here, or call the Alachua County Emergency Management Office at 352-264-6500.