Atascadero Community Emergency Response Team offering disaster preparedness course
Classes will be held at the Colony Park Recreation Center in October
– The Atascadero Community Emergency Response Team is offering its Basic Training Course, which teaches basic disaster response skills so participants can safely help themselves and those around them.
According to the team, in the event of a major wildfire, earthquake, or widespread flooding, emergency service personnel may not be able to reach everyone right away, and a disaster could strike when parents are at work and children are at school or involved in social activities.
The 24-hour course is intended for family members age 18 and older. Participants will learn how to prepare for disasters, about the Community Emergency Response Team organization, basic first aid, the psychology of disaster, how to extinguish small fires, how to search structures and rescue victims, about terrorism and hazardous materials, and how to protect their homes against disasters.
Individuals who have completed the training have responded to major flooding, tsunami watches, and searches for missing persons. They have also been involved in traffic and crowd management, emergency radio communications, wildfire fuel reduction programs, and disaster recovery efforts.
The class will be held at the Colony Park Recreation Center, 5599 Traffic Way, in Atascadero, on Tuesday, Oct. 6, Thursday, Oct. 8, Tuesday, Oct. 13, and Thursday, Oct. 15, from 6 to 9 p.m. On Saturday, Oct. 17, students will participate in a review and disaster scenario from 9 a.m. until about 5 p.m.
Students must complete all training sessions to receive the Federal Emergency Management Agency Certificate of Completion.
The course costs $40 per person or family for Atascadero residents and $42 for nonresidents.
To register online, visit atascadero.org. Residents can also register in person at the front desk of the Colony Park Community Center, Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For questions, call (805) 470-3360.
