CERT Free Disaster Preparedness Training in Lahaina

CERT training in fire suppression. Photo courtesy Maui Civil Defense Agency.

By Wendy Osher

Residents interested in free training in emergency response are invited to attend CERT Basic Training in West Maui next month.

CERT–short for Community Emergency Response Team–is a program that educates individuals about hazards that may impact their community, and trains them in basic disaster response.

Skills taught include fire safety, light search and rescue operations, team organization and disaster medical services.

When emergencies happen, CERT members can be called upon to give critical support to the professional first responders by providing immediate assistance to victims at a disaster site.

The upcoming CERT Basic Training workshop is a 30-hour program take place on six-days in March. The classes consist of both classroom instruction and field exercises.

CERT classes for March are scheduled at the Princess Nahienaena Elementary School at the following times:

• Tuesday, March 5, 6 to 9:30 p.m.
• Thursday, March 7,  6 to 9:30 p.m.
• Saturday, March 9, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, March 12, 6 to 9:30 p.m.
• Thursday, March 14, 6 to 9:30 p.m.
• Saturday, March 16, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

CERT classes are sponsored by the Maui Civil Defense Agency, with training taught by Maui Fire Department instructors.  The courses are provided free of charge under a Homeland Security grant.

Upcoming training is also scheduled in Kihei in May, Pukalani in July and Kahului in September.

For further information and to register for a CERT course, contact Maui Civil Defense at 270-7285 or email [email protected].