Teen CERT Disaster Training Course

Community Emergency Response Team training will be offered this summer to teens 15 to 18 years old. The program educates students about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills including fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization and disaster medical operations. Classes will be held in the Santa Rosa County Emergency Operations Center at 4499 Pine Forest Road in Milton and will follow this schedule:

Monday, July 14 – 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.; Thursday, July 17 – 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.; Thursday, July 24 – 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.; Saturday, July 26 – 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Exercise will be at Allentown Volunteer Fire Station.

The 20-hour course prepares teen CERT members to assist others in their schools, neighborhood or workplace following an event when professional responders are not immediately available to help. Members are also encouraged to support emergency response agencies by taking a more active role in emergency preparedness projects in their community.

The course educates students about the social and economic impacts of various kinds of disasters, and then seeks to build decision-making and problem-solving skills so that they can make informed decisions during a disaster that will reduce loss of life and property.

For more information, contact Daniel Hahn at (850) 983-4606.