Earthquake Preparedness Class

Description

In recognition of April as “Earthquake Preparedness Month,” the Community Emergency Response Team, a group of citizen volunteers organized by the Fullerton Fire Department, will conduct a training session Wednesday, April 11, focusing on earthquake preparedness.

The public is invited to attend the session, which will be held at 7 p.m. at the City of Fullerton Maintenance Yard, 1580 W. Commonwealth Ave.

The training session will take on special significance as it comes in the wake of the 7.4 quake that struck Mexico March 20, damaging or destroying 800 homes.

Topics covered will include regional earthquake threats, methods to survive the shaking, and ways to prepare homes to minimize the danger of falling objects in a quake. 

A new video on earthquake preparedness will be shown, and the earthquake threats to our region will be covered in a second video.  People who attend the session will learn how to turn off a gas meter and can practice with on an actual device.
 An informational brochure on earthquake preparedness will be given to all who attend the class.
Refreshments will be served.

The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program trains citizens to organize their families and neighborhoods so they will be better prepared to respond to emergency situations. 

Based on a model developed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, trained CERT members will be able to provide immediate assistance to disaster victims, as well as organize volunteers to assist emergency responders such as the Fire, Police and Maintenance Services departments.

Under the program, volunteers undergo 20 hours of training in subjects such as disaster preparedness, basic first aid, fire safety, basic search and rescue methods, and proper use of a fire extinguisher.

Once the training is complete, CERT volunteers are required to attend a minimum of two training sessions per year. 
Persons interested in becoming a CERT volunteer can contact visit the Fire Department’s section of the City website at www.cityoffullerton.com or by calling the Fullerton Fire Department at (714) 738-6500.
Persons requiring special accommodations to participate in the April 11 program are asked to notify the Fire Department staff prior to coming to the session.