Iron County CERT training April 8 helps communities become more prepared for emergency response

A Community Emergency Response Team training member conducts a first aid exercise during a simulated emergency, undated file photo | Photo courtesy of Cedar City government, St. George News

CEDAR CITY – Iron County residents are invited to attend free Community Emergency Response Team training Saturday, April 8, to learn more about community response immediately following a local emergency or disaster.

Community Emergency Response Team training members conduct an exercise during a simulated emergency, undated file photo | Photo courtesy of Cedar City government, St. George News

The training is managed by Iron County CERT Coordinator Terry Meissner and Iron County Emergency Manager George Colson. It will be staged at Cedar City’s Festival Hall, 105 North 100 East, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

According to a news release, CERT members respond immediately after a disaster when professional emergency responders, such as police, fire and paramedics, are overwhelmed or delayed. CERT is a bridge that aids in helping until the professionals arrive.

In the upcoming training, community members will cover basic skills that are important to know in the event of a disaster, such as first aid, Incident Command System (ICS), light search and rescue, emergency communications and more, the news release said.

The flooding in Iron County in July 2021 is an example of how the community can be called together to respond in times of crisis. The 8-hour training on April 8 is hands-on and supplements a pre-requisite online class offered by FEMA, according to the news release.

Course materials are available on the FEMA website where participants can download the manual, view the presentation slides and watch the training videos. Once completing the online class, sign-up for the in-person 8-hour training by April 1.

Send and email to Colson at [email protected] to reserve a spot. Click here for more information.

Free News Delivery by Email

Would you like to have the day's news stories delivered right to your inbox every evening? Enter your email below to start!