Do you know what to do if a disaster occurs? How will you respond in case of an Earthquake? Will you be able to protect yourself and members of your family? If you answered “No” to any of these questions, you are not alone, and the Foster City Fire Department can help you get prepared!

Become part of CERT, the Community Emergency Response Team which trains civilians to respond in case of a disaster. Learn the most up to date information through hands-on training in basic disaster preparedness, use of a fire extinguisher, disaster medical care, first aid training, search and rescue techniques, communicating through FRS radios and neighborhood team building.

On Wednesday, February 3, 2010 the Foster City Fire Department will begin its CERT Training, a series of seven classes over the course of 25 hours. All classes are held on Wednesdays at the Foster City Fire Department, 1040 E. Hillsdale Blvd., from 6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. and are taught by Assistant Fire Marshall, Lee Bach, and other certified CERT Trainers.

 Participants of the program will learn needed life saving skills, rescuer safety, and doing the greatest good for the greatest number. They will also learn how to develop and organize neighborhood teams so that they are an extension of first responder services, offering immediate help to victims until professional services arrive.

 Following a major disaster, first responders who provide fire and medical services will not be able to meet the demand for these services. Factors such as number of victims, communication failures, and road blockages will prevent people from accessing emergency services they have come to expect at a moment's notice through 911. People will have to rely on each other for help in order to meet their immediate life saving and life sustaining needs.

Foster City adopted the CERT training program four years ago and has since trained approximately 420 citizens. Enroll in the upcoming training class and see how you can become better prepared to help your family and community in case of a disaster. For more information about the CERT Program and to register for the upcoming class, please call the Fire Department at 650-286-3350 or send an email to rahmad@fostercity.org.