CRESTVIEW — The Crestview Community Emergency Response Team, or CERT, is offering free basic CERT training course starting on Saturday, Aug. 3.
The basic training course will discuss fire safety, disaster preparedness and rescue operations among other topics.
This will be the first time that CERT has offered the course, Mark Brown, team chief for Crestview CERT, said.
Click here to get an application for the CERT course >>
"The program consists of 20 hours of training and emphasizes hands-on practice," Brown said in an email. "Classes are taught by trained emergency personnel, including firefighters and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel."
The free training courses continue 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 10 and 24. The final exercise and graduation is 1-3 p.m. Aug. 25.
The training is projected to take place at the Crestview Community Center, 1446 Commerce Drive. Should the location change participants will be notified by event organizers.
After successful completion of the course, participants will receive a Federal Emergency Management Agency certificate, endorsed by FEMA, the state of Florida, and the Okaloosa County Emergency Management.
In addition the to the certificate, participants will be also receive a free emergency response kit. The kit will include a first aid kit, protective gear, emergency tools and batteries.
Those interested in attending must complete a training application form, which is required for a mandatory background check.
Applications can be emailed to kwolfe@co.okaloosa.fl.us, or completed paper applications can be given to Wendell Beattie, by calling 758-2863.
The deadline to apply has been extended to Aug. 1.
Participants ages 16 and 17 are asked to have written consent from a parent or legal guardian, in order to attend.
For more information on the training course, contact Crestview CERT at crestviewcert@yahoo.com.
Want to go?
What: Free Basic Training Class
When: Saturday, Aug. 3 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 10 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 24 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Sunday, Aug. 25 from 1-3 p.m.
Where: The Crestview Community Center at 1446 Commerce Drive
Cost: Free
Contact News Bulletin Staff Writer Matthew Brown at 850-682-6524 or matthewb@crestviewbulletin.com. Follow him on Twitter @cnbMatthew.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview Emergency Response Team offers free training (DOCUMENT)