City will offer CERT training in January

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The City of Canyon Lake Department of Emergency Services is offering residents the opportunity receive Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training, enabling those who complete the program to learn practical skills and volunteer their services during a civil disaster or other type of emergency.

Training is scheduled for Friday through Sunday, January 8 to 16, at City Hall. Friday’s session is 5 to 9 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

CERT is a commitment of 20 hours of training. There is no cost. Attendance all three days is mandatory. Only those who successfully complete the practical exercise with hands-on instruction in fire suppression, search and rescue, cribbing and medical will receive a certificate of completion.

The CERT program is about readiness, People helping people, rescuer safety and doing the greatest good for the greatest number. It is a positive and realistic approach to emergency and disaster situations where citizens will be initially on their own and their actions can make a difference.

“Across the state and within Canyon Lake, ordinary citizens are volunteering for CERT and making a difference. This is a fun class with lots of hands-on activities,” says Nancy Carroll, chair of the Canyon Lake Emergency Preparedness Committee (CLEPC).

Through training, citizens can manage utilities and put out small fires; treat the three killers by opening airways, controlling bleeding and treating for shock; provide basic medical aid; search for and rescue victims safely; and organize themselves and spontaneous volunteers to be effective.

All graduates receive a CERT backpack, hard hat, vest and certificate of completion. For more information or to sign up for CERT training, contact City Hall at 951-244-2955 or Nancy Carroll at 951-244-8230.