CASSOPOLIS – Cass County Sheriff Joseph M. Underwood, Jr. is pleased to announce the upcoming Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training beginning Wednesday, Sept. 16, at 6 p.m. at the Cass County Emergency Operations Center, 130 N. Broadway, Cassopolis.

Classes will be held weekly on Wednesday nights from 6 to 9 p.m.

The eight-week series culminates on Nov. 4 with a simulated disaster exercise and graduation.

CERT is a training program that prepares you to help yourself, your family and your neighbors in the event of a disaster.

During an incident, emergency service personnel may not be able to reach everyone immediately.

By getting trained in CERT, you will have the skills to help emergency responders save lives and protect property.

CERT participants will 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
• Help reduce survivor stress

In 95 percent of all emergencies, the victim or bystander provides the first immediate assistance on the scene. Would you know what to do?

CERT training takes about 20 hours to complete and provides critical skills in emergency preparedness and response.

Classes and equipment are provided free to those willing to help their community, but pre-registration is required.

Adults 18 and over are encouraged to attend. Contact Patti Kolden at (269) 445-8644 ext. 1217.