DM County hosts CERT training

DES MOINES COUNTY - When disaster strikes, do you want to be helpful or helpless? Many times, bystanders are on the scene helping the injured before emergency responders arrive. In the event of a mass emergency, it could be hours or days before help arrives. Witnesses, especially those with training, can become heroic lifesavers. Do you want to be prepared to help your friends, family, and community?
Des Moines County Emergency Management Agency’s Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) will be hosting a FREE CERT ACADEMY Saturday November 4th and Saturday, November 11th, 2023, from 8:00am to 5:00pm at the West Burlington Fire Department. Here you will learn about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact you or your family. You will also learn to identify life-threatening conditions resulting from trauma, stop bleeding, apply life saving techniques, and provide basic first-aid care. Other topics covered at the CERT Academy include Disaster Psychology, Fire Safety, Terrorism Awareness and Light Search and Rescue. You must attend all training sessions on both days to receive your course completion certification. When disaster strikes, emergency responders will be helping the most critical patients and may be unable to assist all the injured immediately. With CERT training, you will be able to identify the needs of your community, including friends and family, and become an asset to the emergency scene.
Using the information taught in the CERT Academy, students will learn how to prepare for emergencies and be ready to respond to assist their family, neighbors or co-workers, and community immediately following all types of emergencies. Anyone 18 or older is eligible (exceptions may be made for individuals under 18 if accompanied by an adult). You do not need to be a resident of Des Moines County to attend and are under no obligation to join CERT after the course is complete. By being a better trained citizen, you are taking the first step in disaster preparedness.
Taking this course means that not only will you be an asset to your community but to your household as well. You will be better composed to handle an emergency, more prepared in the event of a disaster and less likely to suffer great losses as a result.
What are you waiting for? To register for the CERT Academy or if you have questions, please visit the website at https://www.desmoinescounty.iowa.gov/emergency_management or contact Shannon Prado at the EMA Office (319) 208-5660 or prados@dmcounty.com.