Peter Pays Paul

The second CERT training class was on Wednesday. This time my lovely wife attended with me. The classes are held at the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District Training Center on Treat Boulevard in Concord, CA.

This week we studied the fire safety. We had the opportunity to extinguish a small fire in a fire pan with the oversight of trained professionals. For some students it was the first time they had discharged a fire extinguisher. For all of us students it was good practice.

Some interesting fire extinguisher facts:

• A 5 pound fire extinguisher will only last about 20 seconds.
• Only try to extinguish a fire that is smaller than you are.
• Extinguishers do lose their effectiveness over time. The powder within the chamber settles and does not disperse when needed. This can be avoided by gently inverting the extinguisher every 6 months.
• It is wise to have two (2) extinguishers in your home in case of emergency.

We watched two demonstration videos displaying the speed that a fire can start and consume a room. The first video showed the speed that a dry Christmas tree could ignite an entire room. In less than 5 seconds the entire tree is engulfed in flames. In just 40 seconds the entire room is filled with smoke and flames. The bottom line is to keep live trees watered on a regular basis.

The second video shows the speed that a sofa in a living room can ignite the whole living room. After only 4 minutes the entire living room is filled with smoke and flames. It is amazing how fast a fire can spread.

These videos should instill in all of us the need for smoke detectors. The Santa Clara County Fire Department recommends, at minimum, placing one smoke detector in each bedroom, outside each sleeping area, and on every level of your home. For best protection a smoke detector should be placed in each living area, save the kitchen or bathroom.

You should also change the batteries in your smoke detector every six months. An easy system to remember to change the batteries is to change them at the same time the clock for Daylight Saving Time is changed.

Proper safety equipment can be an added selling point for your home. A $10 investment can help sell your home and can save your life or the life of someone you love.

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.