When emergencies happen, Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) members can give critical support to first responders, provide immediate assistance to victims, and organize spontaneous volunteers at a disaster site. CERT members can also help with non-emergency projects that help improve the community’s preparedness and safety.
Fairfax County is offering two local CERT basic training classes this fall. Both will be held at the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Academy, 4600 West Ox Road in Fairfax. The first class is held on Mondays, beginning Sept. 9, and the second class, on Wednesdays, beginning Sept. 11. Each will have eight sessions from 7-10 p.m., combining classroom instruction with practice drills and exercises.
CERT basic training doesn’t require any special physical strength or agility. Safety and preparedness is stressed throughout the course. This training is free and CERT furnishes personal protective equipment for the training that students will keep upon completion of the class. People who go through CERT training have a better understanding of the potential threats to their home, workplace and community and can take the right steps to lessen their impact.
Enroll at www.fairfaxcert.com. Register as a new volunteer and, when confirmed, log in and register for CERT class 73, 74 or 75. For further information contact the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Volunteer Coordinator’s Office, 703-246-3926, TTY 711.