Cass County Sheriff Joseph Underwood Jr. announced tAn upcoming Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training class is slated to begin 6 p.m. Oct. 9 at the Cass County Emergency Operations Center, 130 N. Broadway, Cassopolis.

The seven-week training course will be held Tuesday evenings from 6 to 9 p.m. and will culminate Nov. 20 with a simulated disaster exercise and graduation.

CERT is a training program that prepares community members to help themselves, their family and neighbors in the event of a disaster.

CERT participants learn how to identify and anticipate hazards, reduce fire hazards in the home and workplace, extinguish small fires, assist emergency responders, conduct light search and rescue, set up medical treatment areas, apply basic medical techniques and help reduce survivor stress.

In 95 percent of all emergencies, the victim or bystander provides the first immediate assistance on the scene. CERT training takes about 20 hours to complete and provides critical skills in emergency preparedness and response.

Classes and equipment are free but registration is required.

Call (269) 445-8644, ext. 1217.