CERT training to start in February

r The Springville Community Emergency Response Team strengthens the city by taking care of local neighborhoods one street at a time. In the event of a disaster, family, friends and neighbors can count on each other to provide help until professional assistance can arrive. CERT members do this by learning basic first aid, light search and rescue and other skills that help them help their neighborhoods.

The Springville CERT will be starting classes on Thursday, Feb. 23, in the training room in the Springville fire station. Sign-up and registration will start at 6:45 p.m., but the rest of the classes will begin at 7 p.m. and will last about two and a half hours. The cost is $25 per person or $40 for a couple and includes a manual, a hard hat and a green CERT vest.

“The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program educates people about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations. Using the training learned in the classroom and during exercises, CERT members can assist others in their neighborhood or workplace following an event when professional responders are not immediately available to help. CERT members also are encouraged to support emergency response agencies by taking a more active role in emergency preparedness projects in their community.” – FEMA.gov