In recognition of April as “Earthquake Preparedness Month,” the Community Emergency Response Team, a group of citizen volunteers organized by the Fullerton Fire Department, will conduct a class Wednesday, April 13, focusing on earthquake preparedness.

The public is invited to attend the class, which will be held at 7 p.m. at the City of Fullerton Maintenance Yard, 1580 W. Commonwealth Ave.

Topics covered in the class will include regional earthquake threats, methods to survive the shaking, and ways to prepare homes to minimize the danger of falling objects in a quake. 

An informational brochure on earthquake preparedness will be given to all who attend the class.

Refreshments will be served.

The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program trains citizens to organize their neighborhoods so they will be better prepared to respond to emergency situations. 

Based on a model developed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, trained CERT members will be able to provide immediate assistance to disaster victims, as well as organize volunteers to assist emergency responders such as the Fire, Police and Maintenance Services departments.

The program is divided into six districts mirroring the locations of the city’s six fire stations.  Volunteers from those areas are trained in basic emergency management so they will be able to organize and assist their neighbors in emergencies.

Under the program, volunteers undergo 24 hours of training in subjects such as disaster preparedness, basic first aid, fire safety, basic search and rescue methods, and proper use of a fire extinguisher.

Once the training is complete, CERT volunteers are expected to commit approximately four hours per month to program coordination and maintenance.