Summer community emergency preparedness trainings offered

Published on May 23, 2022

Menlo Fire CERT has announced upcoming trainings open to the community. All classes are free and require registration.

The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program educates volunteers about disaster preparedness for the 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. CERT offers a consistent, nationwide approach to volunteer training and organization that professional responders can rely on during disaster situations, allowing them to focus on more complex tasks.

Most classes will be held in person, but the full training calendar also includes virtual courses and offerings provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Upcoming local classes include:

First Aid / CPR / AED

Saturday, June 4
9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Location: East Palo Alto
Join the waitlist

This six-hour class is offered the first Saturday of every month to help citizens recognize and respond to cardiac, breathing and first aid emergencies until medical personnel arrive. CPR card provided after successful completion of class. Class size is limited to 15 students.

CPR/AED for adults, children and infants
Bleeding control management
Airway obstruction / suspected poisonings

Red Cross Ready

Wednesday,June 8
6–7:30 p.m.
Location: 2470 Pulgas Avenue, East Palo Alto
Registration is closed

A 90-minute all-hazards preparedness class offered on the second Wednesday of every month, designed to provide the community with basic response actions for the following disasters: earthquake, flood, wildland fires, hazardous materials, etc. Participants learn how to build a disaster kit, plan and stay connected during a disaster.

Learn how to make a disaster plan and emergency pack
Learn how to respond during and after a disaster
Receive a disaster kit, radio and family preparedness flipchart

Stop the Bleed

Friday, June 27
4–5 p.m.
Location:1850 Embarcadero Road, Ste A Room 114, Palo Alto
Register online

This 1-hour basic bleeding control course teaches civilians bleeding control principles so they are able to provide immediate, frontline aid until first responders are able to take over care of an injured person. Due to many situations, there may be a delay between the time of injury and the time a first responder is on the scene. Without civilian intervention in these circumstances, preventable deaths may occur. Participants will have the opportunity to purchase a military grade tourniquet to take home for just $10 at this event. Cash only, please.

Learn to identify life-threatening bleeding
Learn how to intervene while waiting for 911 to arrive
Practice skills to effectively control bleeding by: direct pressure, application of military tourniquet and packing of open bleeding wound

First Aid / CPR / AED

Saturday, Aug. 6
9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Location: East Palo Alto
Register online

CPR/AED for adults, children and infants
Bleeding control management
Airway obstruction / suspected poisonings

Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) – Basic Training

Saturdays Oct. 8, Oct. 22 and Nov. 5
9 a.m.–4 p.m. each day
Location TBD
Register online

Three 8-hour classes offered on Saturdays starting in October provide training to local residents within the community on basic disaster and preparedness skills (fire extinguishing, medical care, incident command and light search / rescue); which may be applied in a real-life emergency. The intent of the program is to create a layer of self- resilience within the neighborhoods by enabling CERT members to safeguard their community and assist local first responders.