Free Community Emergency Response Team Training Begins In September

Palm Coast, FL - Residents wanting to learn basic disaster and emergency response skills will have their chance to learn through the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) nationally certified training program, which begins next month. The 30-hour course will meet from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays at the Emergency Operations Center, located on Moody Boulevard. through October 27. Pre-registration is required for the course and it can be completed by visiting the Flagler County Emergency Management website. Simply select "Volunteering and Training" from the menu on the left. You can also call 386-313-4200. Attendees will be expected to wear masks while in class to help limit the spread of COVID-19. “The program as an important partnership between the community and professional first responders,” said Emergency Management Director Jonathan Lord. “CERT allows our residents to train with subject matter experts. Previous experience is not necessary, just a desire to learn and help others.” The Autumn 2021 CERT program will educate residents about topics such as: disaster preparedness; team organization; disaster medical skills; disaster psychology; fire safety and utility controls; light search and rescue; and, terrorism. Additionally, there will be a disaster simulation. “It is a way to improve overall community preparedness by educating residents about how to prepare for and respond to the hazards most likely to impact our community,” Lord said. “When our residents are trained in these basic disaster response skills, it allows our first responders to focus on the most critical needs in a disaster.” The program is provided by the Flagler County Emergency Management Office in partnership with the Fire Rescue Department and the non-profit Flagler Volunteer Services.