CERT program seeks new members

Hurricanes, tornadoes and other disasters happen in Central Virginia. One way to effectively counter such events in your neighborhood is to have the prompt on-scene response of a team of your neighbors who are trained as Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) members.

CERT training provides citizens with basic skills that will help them to help themselves and their neighbors during the critical time before professional emergency personnel arrive.

The next full CERT training program will include seven sessions: June 3, 4, 5, 9, 10, 11 and 12. Each session will be held 6:30-9:30 p.m. at the Eanes-Pittman Public Safety Training Center, 6610 Public Safety Way (in the Chesterfield County government complex).

Veteran emergency services instructors will provide hands-on training in the critical areas of disaster preparedness, fire suppression, basic search and rescue techniques, disaster medical skills and disaster psychology.

Participants must be at least 18 years old. There is no maximum age limit, although you should be in reasonably good health. Participants who complete the course will receive certificates and will be eligible to participate in full-scale exercises, as well as take additional classes in disaster preparedness and related subjects. There is no charge for the program.

The program will be limited to 18 people, first come, first served. For a registration form, e-mail CERT Program Coordinator Jon Donnelly at jondon42@verizon.net or call 318-8700 and leave your name, phone number and mailing address. The deadline to register is May 30.

Chesterfield County's CERT program is sponsored by the Chesterfield Citizens Corps Council. For more information, contact Lynda F. Price, Chesterfield County emergency management coordinator, at 748-1236 or pricel@chesterfield.gov.