DOWNEY - The city of Downey will host Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training on three consecutive Saturdays in April (9,16 and 23).Residents must attend all three training sessions to earn their certification. There is room for 40 students in the course. CERT training is free. CERT training is delivered by Downey firefighters. The 20 hours of training consists of both classroom and field activities. Students finish their CERT training with a disaster simulation activity. The six blocks of training are: fire safety and small fire extinguishment; emergency preparedness; assessing damage after an emergency; light search and rescue operations; post emergency first-aid operations; and organization and procurement of emergency supplies. CERT training is helpful for everyone in the community. Students learn their first priority is emergency preparedness for themselves and their family. Their next priority is to take care of themselves and their families immediately after an emergency. Once their family needs are met, CERT members can begin to address the needs of their neighborhoods. Those who are interested in doing more for their community than assisting their families and neighborhoods after a disaster can become involved with the members of the Downey CERT. The group meets on the third Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. at Fire Station No. 1 at 12222 Paramount Blvd for a business meeting and training session. The meetings are held in the Emergency Operations Center located behind the main fire station. Downey CERT members are an active volunteer group. They serve as the staff for many emergency preparedness events such as the water barrel distributions, public information booths and the annual flu vaccination clinics. Interested community members can register for the April CERT training by calling (562) 904-2327 or by sending an e-mail to ready@downeyca.org.

********** Published: March 3, 2011 - Volume 9 - Issue 46