The City of Seminole Fire Rescue Department is preparing to launch the community’s first Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Training. CERT is a FEMA program that educates people about disaster preparedness for hazards, (such as hurricanes), that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations. Using the training learned in the classroom and during exercises, CERT members can assist their families, their neighbors and their coworkers following catastrophic events when professional responders are not immediately available to help. CERT members are also encouraged to support emergency response agencies by taking a more active role in emergency preparedness projects in their community.
The City of Seminole Fire Rescue Department will host a pilot CERT program in June of 2015. This 20 hour program is designed for citizens of all ages, capabilities and interests and is free to participants. Public Education Officer, Brad Dykens, states, “If you have ever had a desire to learn or feel better prepared to handle emergencies then this is the program for you.” Mr. Dykens is the CERT Program Coordinator for the City of Seminole and will facilitate the training. The primary goal of the course is to train individuals to be prepared to handle disasters such as hurricanes. For those interested in supporting the community, a CERT Team will be created to assist in both times of emergency and non-emergency when events, such as Pow Wow, require assistance.
Additional information about CERT may be found on FEMA’s website;www.fema.gov. For more information about the City of Seminole’s first pilot CERT program, or if you are interested in participating in the training, please contact Brad Dykens at bdykens@myseminole.com or(727) 393-8711 extension 210. You can reserve your seat by applying atsecert01.eventbrite.com space is limited.