As southern Californians, we should expect a catastrophic earthquake to strike at any time – we live in “earthquake country” and we’re long overdue for a significant temblor. Residents and workers located in Simi Valley should be prepared for all kinds of emergencies, large and small. One of the ways community members can learn to be better prepared and gain the skills necessary to ride-out these emergencies is through participation in preparedness training and education. The “model citizen preparedness training” in the nation was adopted by FEMA in 1993 and is called Community Emergency Response Training (CERT). In Simi Valley, this curriculum is presented in an academy format comprised of lecture, hands-on practice, PowerPoint presentations, and a skills review during a disaster scenario.
In the CERT Academy, you’ll learn; basic response skills, such as extinguishing small fires; light search and rescue; the organizational structure of incident response; and medical do’s & don’ts in a disaster environment. Using the information learned in the classroom and during hands-on exercises, you’ll discover what supplies you should have in your disaster kit and how to assist your family or workplace following a disaster when professional responders are often not immediately available.
The CERT Academy is free of charge! Anyone 18-years or older, who lives or works in Simi Valley is eligible to participate. Each participant will receive a student workbook, a CERT start-up kit (helmet, work gloves, vest, safety goggles and flashlight) and a certificate, upon the completion of the entire course. The next academy will be held on six (6) consecutive Thursday evenings from 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM at the City’s Emergency Operations Center located at 3901 Alamo Street. The dates for the 2018 spring session are: Thursday, April 26th, Thursday, May 3rd, Thursday, May 10th, Thursday, 17th, Thursday, May 24th, and Thursday, May 31st. A one-day disaster simulation wraps up the course on Saturday, June 2nd.
If you are interested in registering for the upcoming CERT Academy, enrollment is currently open on a first-come-first-served basis until 6:00 PM, Friday, April 20, 2018 OR until the class is full. Please note these sessions fill up quickly, so don’t delay! CERT registration is available three (3) ways: the quickest way is to register is online via this link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/spring-2018-city-of-simi-valley-community-emergency-response-training-cert-academy-registration-42110392317; or a paper application can be obtained at the Simi Valley Police Department Front Desk, completed and returned in person or via U.S. Mail; or a paper application can be downloaded and printed from the CERT web page at: www.simivalley.org/CERT.
Be prepared when the next earthquake strikes!
