Monday, January 23, 2012

Disaster Training Offered to Woodside/Portola Valley Residents

Upcoming free class aims to make residents more self-sufficient in an emergency

Woodside, CA – January 23, 2012 A seven-part disaster preparedness training program to help local residents prepare to help themselves, their families, neighbors and communities in a disaster is being offered in February in the Woodside Fire Protection District by the Citizens Emergency and Response Preparedness Program (CERPP).

Since 1994 when FEMA began promoting the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) concept , hundreds of CERT programs have been established in communities across the country. The goal is to train people living in the community to take care of themselves, their families and their neighbors in the event of a disaster.

After a large-scale disaster like 9/11 or the Loma Prieta earthquake, emergency services personnel won't be able to reach everyone in need right away, according to Woodside Fire Chief Dan Ghiorso. "That's why it's so important that our local residents take action now to be prepared and able to help themselves," he said. "Not only will we be able to use scarce emergency resources as efficiently as possible in a disaster, but our residents will be in a better position to help themselves and their communities get back on their feet as quickly as possible."

Skills taught during the class are designed to help save lives and protect property. Classes will be taught by Fire District personnel in basic fire suppression, utility control, light search & rescue and disaster medical. Other topics include disaster psychology and disaster incident management. Training is interactive and concludes with a hands-on exercise.

The CERT training involves six evening sessions and a full Saturday class, for a total of 22 hours of classes. The evening sessions will be held on six consecutive Tuesday evenings starting February 7th, at Woodside Fire District Fire Station 19, 4091 Jefferson Avenue, Emerald Hills, from 6:30-9:30 pm. The Saturday exercise will be held on March 17th from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm at the District's Fire Station 7, 3111 Woodside Road, Woodside.

There is no cost for the class, but pre-enrollment is required. No prior first aid or disaster training is necessary.

About CERPP

CERPP is the Citizens Emergency and Response Preparedness Program serving the Woodside Fire Protection District, including the Towns of Portola Valley and Woodside and adjacent unincorporated areas.

CERPP's primary goal is to promote emergency preparedness and response capability at the citizen and neighborhood level in the event of a disaster that overwhelms traditional emergency response resources. Information about CERPP and disaster preparedness is available at www.bereadytoday.org.

For more information about the CERT class or to register, contact Pam VanHorn at pvanhorn@woodsirefire.org, or 650-851-1594

Linda Popky

President

Leverage2Market Associates

Redwood City, CA

650 281-4854