Because emergency services personnel will not be able to help everyone immediately, residents can make a difference by using this training to save lives and protect property.
The training covers basic skills important to know in a disaster when emergency services are delayed or not available.
Topics covered include:
• Disaster preparedness — What a disaster is, how to recognize structural damage, preparing disaster kits.
• Fire safety — Using fire extinguishers on small fires, identifying potentially hazardous materials.
• Disaster medical operations — How to recognize and treat life-threatening conditions, triage, treating a variety of injuries.
• Light search and rescue — How to size up a situation, conducting light search and rescue operations.
• CERT Organization — How to organize and deploy volunteer resources, rescuer safety, team organization.
• Disaster psychology — What to expect from rescuers and victims of disaster and how to deal with it.
• Terrorism and CERT — Different weapons used by terrorists and what to watch for.
• Disaster simulation — Participation in a mock disaster.
This 20-hour course will be taught by experienced emergency services personnel. It will take place on five consecutive Thursday nights for four hours each, starting April 15.
Most topics are hands-on and attendees will be supplied a free kit.
For information and to sign up for the class, call Laurie Rohrbach at the German Twp. Police Department at (937) 855-7215.
The class is open to all adult residents of German Twp. Residents of neighboring areas will be accepted if openings are still available.