City of Oxnard

OXNARD, Calif. – The Oxnard Fire Department will offer a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training series beginning Wednesday, Oct. 9. The series consists of six classes and a final exercise, and combines classroom instruction with hands-on training. CERT training teaches residents how to be self-sufficient and assist their families and neighbors during large scale emergencies and disasters such as earthquakes and fires. At the completion of the training, participants will have the opportunity to use their skills and participate in a full-scale disaster exercise conducted on Saturday, Nov. 16. Participants will receive an official CERT training certificate and a CERT backpack containing personal protective equipment such as a helmet, goggles, gloves and CERT safety vest upon completion.

CERT training is a significant component of the Oxnard Ready and Resilient initiative, which encourages and trains participants to prepare for and recover from emergencies and disasters. CERT offers residents a positive and realistic approach to emergencies where they would potentially be on their own without the benefit of traditional services such as police, fire and paramedics. The CERT program trains residents to recognize post-disaster dangers, manage utilities, put out small fires, treat life-threatening injuries and conduct light search and rescue operations. CERT members are also trained to provide emergency response information and to help guide their fellow residents in the aftermath of a disaster. 

The Oxnard CERT program is taught several times throughout the year in English and  Spanish by Fire Department personnel and FEMA-certified instructors. The class beginning Oct. 9will be presented in English. The training is open to all Oxnard residents ages 18 years or older, and no special skills or experience are required. All classes and materials are provided free of charge (including student manual and backpack) and are taught on Wednesday evenings from 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. Class size is limited and participants must register in advance. Participants must be able to attendall six training classesand the final exercise.

Class Dates and Topics

• October 9 – Disaster Preparedness

• October 16 – Disaster Fire Suppression

• October 23 – Disaster Medical Operations Part # 1

• October 30 – Disaster Medical Operations Part # 2

• November 6 – Light Search and Rescue

• November 13 – Disaster Psychology and Terrorism

• November 16 – (Saturday) Final Exercise

To learn more about the Oxnard Ready and Resilient initiative or to register for the CERT training series, please contact Scott Brewer at [email protected].

When registering for the CERT training series, please include your full name, e-mail address and a daytime phone number. Please remember that you must attend all six classes and the final exercise to receive your certificate.

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