Take advantage of fire department training

READY FOR ACTION-Firefighters prepare to take on the recent blaze that hit Agoura Hills and Westlake Village. An upcoming training course will prepare citizens to meet disaster when it occurs. In a continuing effort to prepare the community for a disaster or any emergency, the city of Agoura Hills is sponsoring a free disaster preparedness training course taught by Los Angeles County Fire Department staff.

The Community Emergency Response Team program was developed to provide basic training in safety and life saving skills.

Following a major disaster, police, fire and medical professionals may not be able to fully meet the emergency demand in a timely manner. People will need to rely on one another to meet immediate emergency needs until first responders are able to arrive.

The CERT course curriculum will include sessions on disaster preparedness, fire safety, disaster psychology, terrorism, and medical treatment. At the end of the course, participants will put what they have learned to practice by responding to a simulated large scale incident.

The eight-week training course is 6:30 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays, Sept. 12 through Oct. 24 in the community room of the Agoura Hills Community Center, 30001 Ladyface Court, Agoura Hills.

A disaster simulation drill is scheduled for 9 a.m. Sat., Oct. 28.

To receive a certificate of completion, participants must attend all classes. Previous Community Emergency Response Team

students who need to make up a missed session, or would like a refresher course on a particular subject of interest, are welcome to attend a specific session.

To learn more about the program or to sign up, call Carol Tubelis, city of Agoura Hills emergency operations coordinator, at (818) 597-7302 or via e-mail at ctubelis@ci.agoura-hills.ca.us; or call Maria Grycan, the community services representative with the fire department, at (310) 456-7923 or via e-mail at mgrycan@ lacofd.org.