Peter Pays Paul

Reading the Contra Costa Times does have its rewards. Last week I read about a six week training program sponsored by the City of Walnut Creek and the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District called C.E.R.T. or Community Emergency Response Team.

C.E.R.T. is a program that has been put in place all across the country. Hurricane Katrina has raised awareness to the need for community members to be prepared to assist others in a disaster.

According to the Citizen Corps’ website:

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.

This past Wednesday night the class began. It was very interesting and I am glad to be taking part in it. I am one of about 40 people currently enrolled in the program. It was interesting to see people from all walks of life. Senior citizens from Rossmoor were there as well as other young professionals like myself.

Our first class covered the topics of terrorism and a general outline of C.E.R.T. Training. Mike Marciano from the Office of Emergency Services spoke about terrorism. The information he provided was very informative and not alarming. Thankfully we do not yet live in a country where terrorism is a daily threat.

Mike Forster from the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District outlined the general overview of CERT Training. He also provided us with an extensive list of the necessary items for a disaster kit. California doesn’t experience hurricanes and tornadoes are unlikely. The most likely natural disaster to afflict Walnut Creek, Concord, or Pleasant Hill is an earthquake. Having a disaster kit prepared in advance increases the likelihood of surviving such an event. He recommends having a large kit in your home, a smaller kit in your car, and a third kit at your workplace.

This class is highly informative and is a great way to get involved in the community. It is also a great way to prepare your family for a disaster. Next week we will be learning to extinguish small fires.

The City of Walnut Creek is sponsoring two more C.E.R.T. training sessions this year. The first will begin July 24 and the second will begin September 19. For more information visit the City of Walnut Creek’s website. To enroll in the class contact Community Relations Manager Gayle Vassar at (925) 943-5899.

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