Rancho Santa Fe Fire Protection District seeks volunteers for emergency response team
The Rancho Santa Fe Fire Protection District (RSFFPD) is looking for residents interested in becoming part of its Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). Applications are now being accepted for the 2012 fall session, which begins Oct. 2 in 4S Ranch.
CERT is a nationally recognized program designed to train members of neighborhoods, community organizations, and workplaces in basic disaster response skills. During natural or man-made disasters emergency personnel are often stretched thin and may be unable to help residents in a timely manner. If a disastrous event overwhelms or delays the community’s professional emergency crews, CERT members may be called on to assist their own families as well as their neighbors by applying their skills learned in training.
This CERT class, a 24-hour program broken up into four sessions, is designed to be convenient for the resident with a busy schedule. One introduction to CERT night is offered, followed by three Saturday Skill Days. This class also has sections that are web-based and can be completed at home with a Q&A session at the following Saturday Skill Day. Topics include disaster preparedness, disaster medical operations, fire safety and extinguishment, CERT organization, terrorism, disaster psychology and light search and rescue.
The complete schedule is as follows:
• Tuesday, Oct. 2, 6 – 9 p.m., Introduction, and Disaster Preparedness
• Saturday, Oct. 6, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Disaster Medical Preparedness Part I & Part II
• Saturday, Oct. 13, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Fire Safety and Light Search & Rescue Operations
• Saturday, Oct. 20, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m., Final Drill and Graduation
All sessions will be held at RSFFPD Station No. 2 located at 16930 Four Gee Rd, San Diego, CA 92127.
The CERT program is absolutely FREE; however, you must be over the age of 16 to participate and live or work within the Rancho Santa Fe Fire Protection District. To enroll in CERT Training, please download an application from,
, and mail or fax the completed form to Rancho Santa Fe Fire Protection District, ATTN. Captain Dave McQuead, P.O. Box 410, Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067 or FAX: 858-756-4799