Emergency response classes scheduled

0 Comments | Oakland Tribune, Aug 6, 2008 | by reoprt

Emergency preparedness classes are being offered for residents beginning this month. They are sponsored by the city of Martinez, Contra Costa Animal Services, and the town of Pacheco, in conjunction with the county Office of Emergency Services.

The program enables neighborhood or workplace teams to prepare for and respond effectively to an emergency until professional responders arrive.

Members also provide a link between neighborhood or workplace teams and professional responders, and integrate Community Emergency Response Team zones into their community. Members are then integrated into the emergency response for their area.

The training includes 20 hours of instruction over a six-week period. Topics include disaster preparedness and terrorism, fire safety, disaster medical operations, light search and rescue, CERT organization and disaster psychology, and a final simulated disaster exercise.

CERT sessions will be offered from 6 to 9:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Aug. 19, 26 and Sept. 2, 9, 16, 23, at the Contra Costa Animal Services facility, 4800 Imhoff Place, Pacheco.

To register, call Sgt. Lisa Maloney at the Martinez Police Department, at 925-372-3437 or e-mail lmaloney@cityofmartinez.org or Gil Patton at Gilford.patton@dhs.gov.

Participants should provide their full name, street address and phone number when registering.