Schedule Change for First University Glen Residents’ CERT Training Series
CAMARILLO, CA (PRWEB) August 23, 2013 -- Following the Camarillo fires which began May 2nd in Camarillo Springs, the University Glen residents adjacent to CSU Channel Islands campus look forward to participating in three days of valuable certification instruction. The dates are now October 19, October 26, and November 2.
Ventura County Fire Department CERT Coordinator Alan Perry explains, “In order to make the class feasible factoring in costs and personnel involved, we need a minimum of 15 volunteers from University Glen. With only 7 registered and able to attend the first class, we needed more. We know it is tough to cancel a class because they worked hard to involve residents. These things happen, but this gives them more time to get their numbers up.”
University Glen CERT Team Leader David Seagraves adds, “We were disappointed to hear the news, but the extra time gives us a chance to get more of our community involved. Combining campus students, faculty and staff with University Glen renters and homeowners, we have plenty of potential volunteers. We just have to do a better job of notifying our community of their options.” Interest in CERT training spread during University Glen’s Safety Day on June 1, 2013 when 22 people signed up expressing interest in an emergency preparedness class.
Seagraves said, “After the fires, we learned that in future emergencies, the CSUCI Police department’s obligation is to the CSUCI students, faculty and staff first, not University Glen residents. CERT provides training our community needs by creating a volunteer safety net for future disasters.” Emergency training includes video and live instruction in triage, first aid, extinguishing fires, search and rescue, cribbing (to remove injured persons from beneath heavy objects), terrorism response, and more.
CERT instruction is provided on a Saturday for three weeks, from 8am to 5pm. CERT classes are held at the Ventura County Fire Department (VCFD) Training Center at Camarillo Airport located at 102 Durley Avenue, Camarillo, CA 93010. Everyone participating in CERT receives a course manual, a vest, field gloves, helmet, goggles, and a flashlight. Attendees receive one hour for lunch and are responsible for their own meals. A CERT facility map, Q&A sheet, FEMA articles, University Glen CERT newsletter, emails, and other emergency information can be found on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/UniversityGlenCERT.
Volunteers must be at least 18 years of age. The training is free. The certificate of completion allows for missed classes to be made up during the next series. Participants must attend the first class.
To participate in CERT training, please contact David Seagraves at 310-490-9557, or at UniversityGlenCERT(at)gmail(dot)com.
David Seagraves, Pro Planning Corporation, +1 (805) 553-8970, [email protected]
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