CERT Class

The next Community Emergency Response Team classes for Santa Paula will begin Tuesday October 8th, 2013.  The classes will be held from 6:30 to 9:00 PM for 6 weeks in the Cultural Arts building at the Community Center complex.  The final class and drill will be held in Ventura with the City of Ventura CERT class on November 16th 2013.

There are seven classes in the CERT course and each class lasts about 2 1/2 hours with a total of 20 hours of training.  The topics covered include: Introduction to CERT, General Emergency Preparedness and Earthquake Awareness, Disaster Fire Suppression Techniques, two sessions of Disaster Medical Operations and preparing for Multi-Casualty Incidents, Light Search and Rescue Techniques and Operations, Team Organization and Management, Disaster Psychology and a Course Review and Disaster Simulation.

The CERT system developed from the need for a well-trained community emergency work force.  The training program provides course graduates with self-sufficiency through the development of a wide range of skills.  The graduates will be able to use the skills taught during emergencies and disasters in their homes, neighborhoods, at school and at the work place. The skills learned will be a life long asset. 

The training is free but class size is limited.  The training is intended for adults and preference will be given to Santa Paula residents.  CERT training in Spanish will be offered later in the year. 

CERT is part of the Department of Homeland Security and is under the umbrella of the local and national Citizen Corps.  The Citizen Corps is Homeland Security’s grassroots effort that localizes preparedness messages and provides opportunities for citizens to get emergency response training participate in community exercises and volunteer to support local first responders.