City Office of Emergency Management to Hold CERT Training

~ OEM also Continues to Train Internal Departments ~

 On Saturday, August 10 the City of Richmond Office of Emergency Management will start the latest Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training class. 

The CERT training program is designed to educate people about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations. Using the training learned in the classroom and during exercises, CERT members can assist others in their neighborhood or workplace following an event when professional responders are not immediately available to help.

Dates:             August 10, 24 and 31(All Saturdays)

Time:              9 a.m. – 5 p.m. each day

Location:        Richmond Ambulance Authority

                        2400 Hermitage Road

To register for the upcoming CERT Training class, call (804) 646-2504 or visit http://www.RichmondGov.com/fire/emergencymanagement.aspx.

In addition to CERT training, the Office of Emergency Management and Fire Prevention staffs are working with the Richmond Public Library to refresh employees’ knowledge of fire prevention and disaster preparedness/protection. The Fire Marshall’s office demonstrates evacuation routes, extinguisher safety, and fire prevention measures. Emergency Management advises the staff on how to protect themselves and library patrons during a hurricane, tornado, and an earthquake. Protection demonstrations include the proper way to drop, cover and hold on during an earthquake and detailing which areas of the library branches are best for sheltering in place during a tornado. All training takes place during non-operating hours and serves as an educational tool for library staff to be able to assist the community.