Community Emergency Response Team Training in Kihei

CERT training in fire suppression. File 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 South 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.

The program on Maui is administered by the County Civil Defense Agency, funded by a Homeland Security grant, and includes instruction by members of the Maui Fire Department.

Civil Defense officials say skills taught include fire safety, light search and rescue operations, team organization and disaster medical services.

According to authorities CERT members can be called upon to give critical support to the professional first responders during large scale emergencies by providing immediate assistance to victims at a disaster site.

The upcoming CERT Basic Training workshop is a 28-hour program that takes place on six-days in May at the Kihei Elementary School at the following times:

• Tuesday. May 7, 6 to 9:30 p.m.
• Thursday, May 9, 6 to 9:30 p.m.
• Saturday, May 11, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, May 14, 6 to 9:30 p.m.
• Thursday, May 16, 6 to 9:30 p.m.
• Saturday, May 18, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

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

***Supporting information courtesy County of Maui, Civil Defense Agency.  For further information or to register, please visit www.mauicounty.gov/cert, call the Civil Defense agency at 270-7285 or email cert@mauicounty.gov.