Learn basic disaster and emergency response skills for the things likely to impact Flagler County. This includes disaster preparedness, fire safety, light search and rescue, and team organization – all taught through the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) nationally-certified training program, which begins on September 24. It’s free.
“The program is an invaluable partnership between the community and professional first responders,” said Emergency Management Director Jonathan Lord. “CERT provides a consistent, nationwide approach to volunteer training and organization. Previous experience is not necessary – just a desire to learn and help others.”
Registration – which is required for this 30-hour course that meets 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Emergency Operations Center through October 24 – can be accessed by going to www.FlaglerCounty.gov/emergency and then selecting “Volunteering & Training” from the menu. The course concludes on October 24 with a disaster simulation and graduation.
Flagler County’s CERT program is made possible through a partnership between Emergency Management, Fire Rescue, and the nonprofit Flagler Volunteer Services.
“It is a way to improve countywide preparedness by providing members of our community with additional knowledge and tools to get ready for and respond to emergencies and disasters,” Lord said. “When our residents are trained in these basic disaster skills, it allows neighbors to help each other while our first responders are focusing on the most critical needs in a disaster.”
The Autumn 2024 CERT program will educate residents about topics such as: team organization; disaster medical skills; disaster psychology; fire safety and utility controls; light search and rescue; and, terrorism.
Registration is required, and attendance at all sessions is necessary to receive certification. Upon completion of the program, participants will receive a T-shirt and disaster kit.
For more information about this Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training, go to www.flaglercounty.gov/emergency and select “Volunteering & Training” from the menu, or for those without Internet access, call 386-313-4200 for assistance.
