The Talbot County Department of Emergency Services is offering a free emergency planning and response course to county residents.
The CERT (Community Emergency Response Training) course is designed to help citizens prepare for disasters and build a more resilient community. The 21-hour CERT course includes emergency preparedness, fire safety and suppression, emergency medical treatment, light search and rescue, and disaster psychology. It also includes a final disaster exercise that enables participants to use the skills and knowledge they acquired during the course.
Beginning September 11, CERT will presented in seven three-hour classes, each Monday at 6:30 p.m., at the Talbot County Operations Center, located at 605 Port Street in Easton. The training concludes with a disaster simulation exercise on October 23.
“Residents who volunteer their time for CERT training are a great asset to our community,” said Clay Stamp, Talbot County Director of Emergency Services and Assistant County Manager. “The skills taught in CERT are the foundation of emergency preparedness for individuals and families.”
Class participants will receive a training manual and a CERT kit that includes personal protective equipment such as a flashlight, first-aid kit, and high-visibility safety gear. Participants who complete the course will be awarded a certificate acknowledging their accomplishments.
In a widespread emergency such as a winter storm or hurricane, public safety resources are stretched thin. CERT enables residents to care for themselves, their families, and their neighbors until police, fire, and medical responders are able to reach their neighborhoods.
The curriculum is interactive, with a combination of lecture and “hands-on” activities, and is open to all county residents. There is no charge for the class, but space is limited.
For more information and to register, contact Jim Bass, Emergency Management Coordinator, at jbass@talbotcountymd.gov. CERT is a Citizen Corps program offered by the Department of Homeland Security.
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