Have you ever thought it might be good to take an emergency response training class? Â If so, now’s the time. Â The Los Angeles Fire Department’s next round of Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training starts on September 1, and will continue for 8 Tuesdays, through October 13, at the Korean Federation at 981 S. Western Ave.
CERT training was developed by the LAFD in the 1980s, after the 1987 Whittier Narrows earthquake demonstrated the need for greater training of civilians to meet the immediate needs of the community in the event of a major disaster. Â According to the class registration page, “The CERT course will benefit any citizen who takes it. Â This individual will be better prepared to respond to and cope with the aftermath of a disaster. Â Additionally, if a community wants to supplement its response capability after a disaster, civilians can be recruited and trained as neighborhood, business, and government teams that, in essence, will be auxiliary responders.”
The training is free, but participants must complete all eight sessions to receive a certificate of completion. Topics covered will include disaster awareness, disaster fire suppression techniques, disaster medical operations, light search and rescue operations, team organization and disaster psychology, and terrorism and homeland defense.
The class is free of charge and open to everyone.  So don’t wait for the next earthquake…sign up today.  See the flier below for more information, and register at http://www.eventbrite.com/e/lafd-cert-hancock-park-tickets-18021319251