September 8, 2009

 

 

September is National Preparedness Month, and in recognition of the importance of emergency planning the Chandler Fire Department is offering free preparedness training to the community.

On Saturday, September 19, 2009, the Fire Department is hosting Holistic Urgent Response Team (H.U.R.T.) facilitator training from 9 a.m. to noon at the Chandler Fire Training Facility; 3550 S. Dobson Rd. Holistic Urgent Response Teams are a collaboration between the faith community and municipalities to better prepare residents for emergencies and disasters. The training is free and open to all adults.

The program teaches the "Are You Ready? An In-Depth Guide to Citizen Preparedness" course developed by the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA). The focus is on how to develop, practice, and maintain emergency plans that reflect what must be done before, during, and after a disaster to protect people and their property. Also included is information on how to assemble a disaster supplies kit that contains the food, water, and other supplies in sufficient quantity for individuals and their families to survive.

“Our goal is to help families be able to say ‘Yes, we are ready!,’” said Loretta Warren-Ellis, Community Preparedness Program Coordinator for the City of Chandler. “Being proactive and taking time to learn about emergency preparedness can provide real benefits to families, such as reducing the fear and anxiety that people feel before, during and after a disaster.”

In addition to the H.U.R.T. training, Chandler Fire is also offering a Community Emergency Response Team (C.E.R.T.) course beginning Wednesday, September 23 and continuing each Thursday evening from 6:30-9:30 p.m. through November 5. In C.E.R.T. training, students learn how to treat minor injuries, turn off gas leaks, report threats of terrorism, and much more to help themselves, their families, neighbors, and community. The course will be held at St. Andrew the Apostle Catholic Church at 3450 W. Ray Rd.

For more information or to register for either of these courses, please call 480.782.2116 or email certadmin@chandleraz.gov. For more preparedness information visit www.chandleraz.gov/fire or www.chandlercert.org.