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City of New Hope, Minnesota4401 Xylon Avenue NorthNew Hope, MN 55428 Telephone: 763-531-5100 Website: www.ci.new-hope.mn.us |
West Metro CERT
Community Emergency Response Training
The cities of New Hope and Crystal and West Metro Fire-Rescue have teamed up to form the West Metro Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) and to provide disaster training for New Hope and Crystal residents.
The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program educates people about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations. Using the training learned in the classroom and during exercises, CERT members can assist others in their neighborhood or workplace following an event when professional responders are not immediately available to help. CERT members also are encouraged to support emergency response agencies by taking a more active role in emergency preparedness projects in their community.
Residents who graduate from the basic CERT course will receive CERT equipment and be advised of ongoing training and exercises as they become available. Bimonthly meetings will provide an opportunity for CERT team members to network and for ongoing training.
For more information about CERT, visit the website www.citizencorps.gov/cert. The West Metro CERT program is made possible by a grant from the Minnesota Department of Homeland Security.
March 2012 CERT Training
The first West Metro CERT basic training course is scheduled from 5 to 9 p.m. on Friday, March 9, and from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, March 10 and Sunday, March 11. The course will be at a location to be determined in either Crystal or New Hope.
Participants will need to provide proof that they have completed the online portion of the course before participating in the classroom training. The course is free, and open to anyone 15 and older (youth 15 to 18 must be accompanied by an adult). There are many jobs within a community emergency response team suitable for both older adults and those with physical limitations.
Applications for the basic CERT course are available below or by calling 763-531-5170. The deadline for applications is February 10, or when spaces fill.