Are you prepared to cope with a catastrophic disaster? FEMA and the Miami Valley Office of Emergency Management are supporting the German Township Police Department in sponsoring CERT training, which is designed to prepare you to help yourself, your family, and your neighbors in the event of a catastrophic disaster. Because emergency services personnel will not be able to help everyone immediately, you can make a difference by using the training to save lives and protect property.

CERT training covers basic skills that are important to know in a disaster when emergency services are delayed or not available.

Topics covered include:

• Disaster Preparedness - what a disaster is, how to recognize structural damage, preparing disaster kits.
• Fire Safety - using fire extinguishers on small fires, identifying potentially hazardous materials
• Disaster Medical Operations - how to recognize and treat life-threatening conditions, triage, treating a variety of injuries
• Light Search and Rescue - how to size up a situation, conducting light search and rescue operations
• CERT Organization - how to organize and deploy volunteer resources, rescuer safety, team organization
• Disaster Psychology - what to expect from rescuers and victims impacted by a disaster and how to deal with it
• Terrorism and CERT - learn about the different weapons used by terrorist
• Disaster Simulation - participate in a mock disaster

This 5 week, 20 hour course will be taught by experienced emergency services personnel. Most topics are hands-on. Those attending the training will be supplied with a CERT kit.

If you would like more information, or to sign up for the next class, please contact Laurie Rohrbach at 937-855-7215 or by e-mailing your name, address, and phone number to German_Twp_PD@hotmail.com.