Arlington CERT Classes Starting Again


The Arlington CERT is looking for new members. This is an exciting program and a wonderful way to be active in your community’s emergency response system.

From the Arlington CERT email I received this afternoon:

If you’re interested in learning how to be better prepared in your own home and workplace — and to assist others in an emergency — Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training may be for you. During the eight-session course you’ll learn how to plan for and become better prepared for disasters, how to treat those who are injured, how to put out small fires and turn off utilities, and how to conduct light search and rescue. The curriculum also includes team management, disaster psychology and terrorism modules.

The training is free to Arlington County residents who are 18 years or older (16 and older if accompanied by a parent) and able to participate in all aspects of the training. The class meets six weeknights (consecutive Tuesdays or Thursdays) and two Saturday mornings. Upon completion of the training, residents have the option of becoming active members of their neighborhood CERT. To-date, over 330 residents have completed CERT training, 150 of whom are members of neighborhood teams.

There are CERT classes beginning on Thursday, March 22 and Tuesday, March 27 and there are still seats available in each. If you’d like additional information — or would like to enroll — contact the program coordinator at ArlingtonCERT@aol.com. You can never be too prepared!

I can tell you from firsthand experience that CERT training is fun and educational and a great way to get more involved in your local community. Preparing for disaster is like having a tool you hope to never need but that you have on hand in case you do need it someday. Come join the fun and have a different type of educational experience.

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

Carl Weaver is a writer and brewer for RealHomebrew.com and has been making beer and wine for more than 20 years. He is also an avid photographer and writer and just finished his first book, about a trip he took to Thailand to live in Buddhist monasteries. He considers himself the last of the Renaissance men and the luckiest darned guy in the world. Follow him on Twitter.

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