East County CERT – Be Prepared For Disaster
Are you prepared for a disaster? Earthquake or firestorm? Consider attending a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) academy. FREE disaster training taught by members of Heartland Fire & Rescue and Santee Fire.
The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program educates people about disaster preparedness and the hazards that may impact the area they live. These FREE CERT lessons will train you in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations. Using the training taught in the classroom and during drill exercises, CERT members will be better prepared to also assist others in their neighborhood or workplace following a disaster or other unexpected event when professional responders are not immediately available.
Our 2012 #1 CERT Academy graduates.
Our 2012 #2 CERT Academy graduates.
Our 2012 #3 CERT Academy graduates
2013 East County CERT Schedule Posted Below!
Our “FREE” 2013 East County Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) disaster preparedness class schedule is now posted. Register now – it’s all about being prepared!
2013 East County CERT Schedule – As of 05/01/13
Academy – #1 – (Completed)
January 26 through April 6
Academy #2 – (Space Available)
June 15 – Disaster preparedness/CERT Organization – La Mesa, 8054 Allison Avenue
June 29 – Disaster Medical/ Triage – La Mesa
July 13 – Fire Extinguishers/Light Search & Rescue – Santee, 8950 Cottonwood Avenue, Fire Station #4, Santee, CA 92071
July 27 – Fire Extinguishers/Light Search & Rescue (hands on) - at HTF – 1301 N. Marshall Avenue in El Cajon
August 10 – Disaster Psychology/Hazardous Materials/Terrorism – La Mesa
August 24 – All inclusive manipulative review & graduation – HTF – El Cajon
Academy – #3 – (Space Available)
September 21 – Disaster preparedness/CERT Organization – La Mesa
October 5 – Disaster Medical/ Triage – La Mesa
October 19-Fire Extinguishers/Light Search & Rescue - Santee -8950 Cottonwood Avenue, Fire Station #4, Santee, CA 92071
November 2 – Fire Extinguishers/Light Search & Rescue (hands on) - HTF – 1301 N. Marshall Avenue in El Cajon
November 16 – Disaster Psychology/Hazardous Materials/Terrorism – La Mesa
(skipping two weeks due to Thanksgiving )
December 7 – All inclusive manipulative review & graduation – at HTF – El Cajon
Times & locations: Academies are held Saturday mornings from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Training takes place at 3 locations for “registered” CERT students as noted. Classes start in La Mesa at 8054 Allison Avenue, Fire Administration area. The “hands on” training is at HTF, located at 1301 N. Marshall Avenue in El Cajon, and the third location is in Santee, at 8950 Cottonwood Avenue, Fire Station #4, Santee, CA 92071 . If you would like to register please call (619) 441-1737. Please leave your name and best contact phone number.
Parking: For the La Mesa location – please Park on the street or in the Von’s parking lot across the street, please do not park in the fire station parking lot. In El Cajon, at the Heartland Training Facility-(*HTF) location, please park in the parking lot just north of 1301 N. Marshall Avenue, please do not park in the Animal Shelter parking. For safety concerns, we ask you do not bring babies or children to our classes. Please wear closed toed shoes only, no sandals. Any classes missed can be made up during a following academy. Classes are taught by members of Heartland Fire & Rescue and Santee Fire Departments. Always check www.heartlandfire.org for last minute updates to the East County CERT Schedule prior to attending classes.
Class size: We’d like to limit our classes to 40 per academy, ages 16 and up, non-residents are welcome. Please, for safety concerns, we ask you do not bring babies or children to our classes. Wear closed toed shoes only – no sandals. At the first class, bring a 1½ inch thick empty 3-ring notebook binder. Please note: Any classes missed may be made up during the following academy. Classes are taught by members of Heartland Fire & Rescue and Santee Fire Departments.
Once you register for a CERT Academy, here is some helpful information:
There are also several other CERT programs available in the county! Click here – CERT Council for a complete list of other CERT programs.
CERT is an excellent opportunity to learn many important life saving skills to better protect yourself, your family and your neighbors in the event of most disasters. This translates into saved lives and less panic. CERT members also are encouraged to support emergency response agencies by taking a more active role in emergency preparedness projects in their community.
Local government prepares for everyday emergencies. However, during a disaster, the number and scope of incidents can overwhelm conventional emergency services. The “free” Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program is an all-risk, all-hazard training. This valuable course is designed to help you protect yourself, your family, your neighbors, your neighborhood and your workplace in an emergency situation. Please be safe!