Fire Department Emergency Preparedness Classes

Description

A new academy of the Fullerton Fire Department’s “Community Response Volunteer/Community Emergency Response Team” (CRV/CERT) program is set to get under way in April.

The session, which will consist of three classes, will be held from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday, April 14, 21 and 28, at the City Maintenance Yard, 1580 W. Commonwealth Ave.

Participants may bring a sack lunch each session if they desire.
The CRV/CERT Program is designed to train citizens to organize their families and neighborhoods to be prepared to respond to emergencies.  Based on a model developed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, CRV/CERT members are trained to provide immediate assistance to disaster victims, as well as organize volunteers to assist fire, police and maintenance departments in emergencies.

Fullerton Fire Chief Wolfgang Knabe said subjects taught in the training classes include disaster preparedness, basic first aid, fire safety, basic search and rescue methods, and proper use of a fire extinguisher.  Instructors are firefighters, paramedics and specialists in the areas of disaster preparations and terrorism. 

Participants will receive a certificate on successful completion of the class.
Class size is limited to 50 persons, and pre-registration is required.  Knabe added that, upon completion, volunteers will have to undergo a background check by the Fullerton Police Department.

Persons interested in joining the CRV/CERT training can either contact the CRV program manager at (714) 773-1316 or by email CRV@fullertonfire.org. 

Registration may also be accomplished by logging onto the City of Fullerton website at www.cityoffullerton.com and going to the Fire Department section, or by coming to Fire Department Headquarters, 312 E. Commonwealth Ave., anytime between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

Persons requiring special accommodations to participate in the training classes are asked to notify the Fire Department staff at the time of registration.