City of Colorado Springs offers free emergency training to citizens.

The City of Colorado Springs, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, is urging citizens to take time now to prepare for possible emergencies. September is the Fifth Annual National Preparedness Month and a great time to ask the question, “Am I ready?”

The Colorado Springs Office of Emergency Management is offering a free two-day Citizen Emergency Response Training (CERT) class on two consecutive Saturdays, September 27 and October 4. The class will be held at the Fire Department Complex, 375 Printers Parkway, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.

Colorado Springs’ most likely emergencies are weather-related, including wildfires, blizzards and floods. During major events first responders often are overwhelmed with the number of individual emergencies. They respond to emergencies associated with the disaster and also regular emergency calls. Citizens must know how to be self-sufficient during the first critical 72 hours immediately following any type of disaster, whether natural or man-made. CERT is designed to fulfill those needs.

Citizen Emergency Response Training (CERT) is a 16-hour course that provides comprehensive training in disaster preparedness and response. Through classroom learning and hands-on training, participants will learn how to help themselves, their families and their neighbors during and immediately following a disaster. Topics covered include disaster preparedness; disaster medical assistance; light search and rescue; fire safety; terrorism and disaster psychology. This course does not offer certification in CPR or first aid.

Online registration forms and additional class dates are available through the Office of Emergency Management’s website at [2] www.springsgov.com. Citizen Emergency Response Training is located under Quick Links.