In a continuing effort to prepare the community for disaster or 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 (CERT) program was developed to provide basic training in safety and lifesaving 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 until the first responders are able to arrive.

The CERT program’s 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 CERT training course will be on Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. beginning Feb. 7. The simulated incident is scheduled for Sat., March 25 at 9 a.m. Classes will be held in the Community Room of the Agoura Hills Community Center, 30001 Ladyface Court, Agoura Hills.

Attendees must participate in all classes in order to receive a certificate of completion. Previous CERT students who need to make up a missed session, or would just like a refresher course on a particular subject of interest are welcome to attend just one session.

To learn more about the program or to sign up to attend classes, please call Carol Tubelis, Agoura Hills Emergency Operations Coordinator at (818) 5977302 or via e-mail at ctubelis@ ci.agoura-hills.ca.us; or contact Maria Grycan, LACoFD community services representative, at (310) 456-7923 or via e-mail at mgrycan@lacofd.org.