Prepare Yourself for a Disaster in Foster City

Do you know what to do if a disaster occurs? Do you know how you will you respond in case of an earthquake? Will you be able to protect yourself and members of your family?

If you answered “No” to any of these questions, you are not alone, and the Foster City Fire Department can help you get prepared.

Residents are invited to become part of CERT, the Community Emergency Response Team, which trains civilians to respond in case of a disaster. Learn the most up to date information through hands-on training in basic disaster preparedness, use of a fire extinguisher, disaster medical care, first aid training, search and rescue techniques, radio communications and neighborhood team building.

On Wednesday, Aug. 21, the Foster City Fire Department will begin its CERT Training, a series of seven classes over the course of 25 hours. Classes are held on Wednesdays (except Sept. 4) at the Foster City Fire Department, 1040 E. Hillsdale Boulevard, from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., and are taught by the Fire Department and other certified CERT trainers.

A Skills Development and Mock Earthquake Exercise will be held on Saturday, Oct. 19 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Program participants will learn lifesaving skills, rescuer safety, and how to do the greatest good for the greatest number of people.

Following a major disaster, first responders who normally provide fire and medical services will not be able to meet the demand for these services. Factors such as number of victims, communication failures, and road blockages will prevent people from accessing emergency services they have come to expect at a moment's notice through 911. People will have to rely on each other for help in order to meet their immediate lifesaving and life sustaining needs.

CERT training benefits any citizen who takes it. Individuals will be better prepared to respond to and cope with the aftermath of a disaster. CERT members can provide immediate assistance to victims in their area, organize spontaneous volunteers who have not had training and collect disaster intelligence that will assist professional responders with prioritization and allocation of resources following a disaster.

Since 1993 when this training was made available nationally by FEMA, communities in 28 states and Puerto Rico have conducted CERT training.

Foster City adopted the CERT training program in 2006 and has trained more than 500 volunteers in the Foster City community. 

For more information about the CERT Program and to register for the upcoming class, please call the Fire Department at 650-286-3350 or send an email to fire@fostercity.org. Register on the web at www.fostercitycert.org.