Residents in Chandler can now arm themselves with crucial survival skills, thanks to the Chandler Fire Department's (CFD) free emergency preparedness training. Scheduled for two Saturdays, September 13 and 20, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., the Basic Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) sessions are designed to educate participants on how to effectively respond to various emergencies. Held at the Chandler Public Safety Training Center, those interested can sign up for the training on the City of Chandler website.
Emphasizing the importance of self-reliance in crises, the CFD is offering courses on fire safety, disaster medical operations, and light search and rescue maneuvers. The training, limited in space and without a cost, aims to prepare Chandler residents for maintaining their well-being when disaster strikes, as Chandler Battalion Chief Blas Minor underlined, "Our goal is to give residents the tools, information and coping skills they need to care for themselves and their families for up to 72 hours following a natural or man-made disaster," in a statement to Chandler Fire Department, as noted by the city's website.
With classes imparting knowledge on diverse threats like extreme weather and power outages, participants are also taught to create emergency kits for their homes and cars. These kits are an essential element of the family emergency plan, equipping individuals with resources to navigate the initial tumultuous hours of a disaster scenario.
As outlined by the City's website, understanding the specific vulnerabilities that affect Chandler is a crucial learning outcome of the course. On top of personal readiness, examining the collaborative roles of police, fire departments, and various community organizations cements a comprehensive approach to community resilience. "Some of the potential hazards we Arizonans can face are strong winds, flooding, heat waves, power outages and fires, along with the possibility of man-made threats," Minor told, reflecting on the variety of risks unique to the region Chandler Fire Department.
For queries or more details on the CERT training, residents can reach out to Chandler’s fire department at 480-782-2120 or via email at [email protected].
