Author Topic: CERT Training coming to Wrightwood (Read 89824 times)

Wrightwood · « **on:** Apr 28, 06, 04:51:05 AM »

The Wrightwood Disaster Preparedness Team recently registered with FEMA and obtained authorization to commence CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) training in Wrightwood. The first CERT training, 18 hours over 3 consecutive Saturdays, will start Saturday July 8. The three day class is a very comprehensive program focusing on various aspects of disaster preparedness and citizen relief efforts.

In a recent special on KTLA, regarding surviving a disaster, several fire officials repeated the message that no matter how good the plan is for the professional first responders, they most likely will be overwhelmed by a major disaster. The solution is a trained community response by our citizens. A geologist who spoke during the show stated that the Northridge earthquake lasted seven seconds while the expected quake on the San Andreas may last up to two minutes. If that prediction holds true, the devastation could be worse than anything this country has ever experienced. The program kept reiterating the message to get prepared now. Begin your preparations at home. Next, organize your block and your entire community to be ready, as responders, offering trained support to the professional first responders.

The Wrightwood Disaster Preparedness Team plans to have about 300 local citizens go through CERT training. Phil Vondra is looking for volunteers in Phelan and Pinon Hills to join the Snowline Disaster Preparedness Team so CERT training can be offered in Phelan and Pinon Hills. For more information, please call Phil Vondra at 868-4346 ext. 111 or Kim Floyd at 249-5385

From KTLA's disaster special on 4-8-06

What's expected when the San Andreas finally gives way

For dial ups (336 k):
http://www.wrightwoodcalif.com/disaster/TN_Bigone.wmv

For high speed connections (2.3 meg)
http://www.wrightwoodcalif.com/disaster/MD_Bigone.wmv

Nolena · « **Reply #1 on:** Apr 28, 06, 01:37:31 PM »

What is taught?
Who is teaching it?
Got more info.?

Hillbillies · « **Reply #2 on:** Apr 28, 06, 02:42:43 PM »

Quote from: Nolena on Apr 28, 06, 01:37:31 PM

What is taught?
Who is teaching it?
Got more info.?

For more information, please call Phil Vondra at 868-4346 ext. 111 or Kim Floyd at 249-5385

Wrightwood · « **Reply #3 on:** Apr 28, 06, 03:12:29 PM »

Wrightwood is fortunate to have an instructor who is a local and has made a career out of this type of training:

Wrightwood · « **Reply #4 on:** Apr 28, 06, 03:19:14 PM »

The curriculum consists of an introduction to Disaster Medical Operations, Fire Safety and Basic Fire Extinguishment, Search and Rescue, Building Assessment and Damage Size-up, Basic Incident Command System, Disaster Psychology.

After completing the CERT program, you will be armed with the knowledge to allow you to help yourself, your family, your school, church, business and your community.

angelwolf326 · « **Reply #5 on:** Apr 28, 06, 03:29:57 PM »

What will be the fee for these classes? I am really interested. Where there be any training for handling and helping animals as well?

Wildman · « **Reply #6 on:** Apr 28, 06, 06:35:42 PM »

Don't believe CERT training covers any great detail about working with animals. It's geared to helping humans. Animal Control might have an annual class on that subject.

K9luvr · « **Reply #7 on:** Apr 28, 06, 06:59:57 PM »

I don't know about San Bernardino county but LA County offers a CERT for animals. If you do all of the training, you can become a volunteer for LA County Animal Care and Control. They have a special unit--LAC-DAC-ERT--LA County Animal Control Equine Rescue Team or something like that for people who are certified to work with horses in an emergency. I've seen their volunteers in dark green jumpsuits with yellow lettering that assist LA County animal control during large fires, etc. I know that a bunch of people in the more rural areas of LA County like Leona Valley and Green Valley have been taking some of this training.

They interface very well with the LA County Fire Department. Why don't you see if San Bernardino County has something similar.

One of the reasons that Katrina was such a mess was people didn't want to leave their animals behind. Hurricane Rita was much less devistating because people were encouraged to evacuate WITH their animals. Plus, they had such a huge wake up call from Katrina and took the orders to evacuate seriously. In the whole mess about FEMA, one of the recommendations from the panel is to make sure that there are plans for animal evacuations as well as for people.

angelwolf326 · « **Reply #8 on:** Apr 28, 06, 07:42:11 PM »

I will do that. I am interested in both.

There does need to be a plan for animals. I know to some people they are just animals but to alot they are their companions, their children, their family.

I would NOT leave without my animals.... It's not an option....

Wildman · « **Reply #9 on:** Apr 29, 06, 04:34:52 PM »

K9lvr has a very good point. One of the major issues that was not addressed before hand was folks bringing their pets to the shelters during the Cedar,Grand Prix and Old fires. It is now part of the planning process.

Something to remember is that pets are not allowed at the human evacuation shelters. They will be kept at shelters at places like the fairgrounds that are run by animal control folks and volunteers that have been through the program she mentioned. Another option is staying at hotels/motels that allow small pets.

Wrightwood · « **Reply #10 on:** May 03, 06, 06:47:39 AM »

The Wrightwood Disaster Preparedness Team recently registered with FEMA and obtained authorization to commence CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) training in Wrightwood. The first CERT training, 18 hours over 3 consecutive Saturdays, will start Saturday July 8. The three day class is a very comprehensive program focusing on various aspects of disaster preparedness and citizen relief efforts. The program is being funded under a federal grant making the tuition free to Wrightwood residents along with free safety equipment being provided to each participant upon graduation from the class.

In a recent special on KTLA, regarding surviving a disaster, several fire officials repeated the message that no matter how good the plan is for the professional first responders, they most likely will be overwhelmed by a major disaster. The solution is a trained community response by our citizens. A geologist who spoke during the show stated that the Northridge earthquake lasted seven seconds while the expected quake on the San Andreas may last up to two minutes. If that prediction holds true, the devastation could be worse than anything this country has ever experienced. The program kept reiterating the message to get prepared now. Begin your preparations at home. Next, organize your block and your entire community to be ready, as responders, offering trained support to the professional first responders.

The Wrightwood Disaster Preparedness Team hopes to have at least 300 local citizens go through CERT training with individual CERT teams set up throughout the community. Additionally, Phil Vondra is looking for volunteers in Phelan and Pinon Hills to join/revamp the Snowline Disaster Preparedness Team so CERT training can be offered in Phelan and Pinon Hills as well. For more information on the class or the new high desert program, please call Phil Vondra at 868-4346 ext. 111 or Kim Floyd at 249-5385

Wrightwood · « **Reply #11 on:** Jul 09, 06, 02:57:13 AM »

49 community members attended the first day of CERT training.

ChattyCathy · « **Reply #12 on:** Jul 10, 06, 08:15:36 PM »

Somehow I missed this -- are they going to do it again?

Wrightwood · « **Reply #13 on:** Jul 10, 06, 08:34:31 PM »

Yes there will be additional CERT training sessions.
I believe I heard something about fall.

Wrightwood · « **Reply #14 on:** Aug 01, 06, 07:03:33 PM »

The 3rd and final day of CERT training

Preparing for hands on mass casualty drill at the Wrightwood Community Center.

The 1st graduating Wrightwood CERT class 7-22-06

K9luvr · « **Reply #15 on:** Aug 01, 06, 09:28:43 PM »

Wow--looks like some pretty realistic training. I'm impressed!

goatgirl · « **Reply #16 on:** Aug 01, 06, 09:37:04 PM »

Wow - I didn't even get the fake but realistic wounds when I was in school to become an EMT. That's great!

Congratulations to everyone who passed!

KW · « **Reply #17 on:** Aug 01, 06, 09:41:39 PM »

I wasn't available for the dates this summer, so please keep us posted on the fall dates.

Calindy · « **Reply #18 on:** Sep 12, 06, 03:22:05 AM »

I would like updated info too, if you are looking for people in Phelan. My husband is a retired police officer, and I am an RN...so we would love to be part of this since we know it is only a matter of time

.....

RennMan · « **Reply #19 on:** Sep 12, 06, 05:15:10 PM »

The most recent issue of the WW Property Owners Association had the dates of October 7, 14, and 21 for CERT training. (I hope I have the correct dates!)

Of course I already recycled the newsletter, and can't remember the contact names, but I know one was Phil Vondra at his Phelan office. Maybe the WW Fire Departmant as well?

The info in the newsletter said that the goal is to have about 300 folks in WW trained in CERT techniques. I won't be able to make these training sessions either, but hope to catch the next session.

Peace

Author Topic: CERT Training coming to Wrightwood (Read 89824 times)

Hillbillies

angelwolf326

Wildman

angelwolf326

Wildman

goatgirl

Calindy