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CERT is about readiness, people helping people, rescuer safety, and doing the greatest good for the greatest number. CERT is a positive and realistic approach to emergency and disaster situations where citizens will be initially on their own and their actions can make a difference. Through training, citizens can manage utilities and put out small fires; treat the three killers by opening airways, controlling bleeding, and treating for shock; provide basic medical aid; search for and rescue victims safely; and organize themselves and spontaneous volunteers to be effective. |
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Who: Foster City residents who are at least 16 years of age or older can participate. |
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When/Where: The CERT Program is taught by CERT Trainers and Fire Department personnel over an eight week period. All classes are held on Wednesday evenings at the Foster City Fire Department, 1040 E. Hillsdale Blvd., from 6:30 to 9:00PM, except for Skills Development & Application, which will be held on the Saturday following course completion from 8:00am to 12:15pm. |
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Cost: Free to all Foster City residents. |
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Upon successfully completing the training, you will be registered as a CERT volunteer with the City of Foster City. |
*Click on Class Headings to View Class Reading Materials*
 - Earthquake type, magnitude, history and probability - What to do when the earth starts to shake
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Learn about hazards potentially affecting the Foster City community and your role as a disaster worker seeking to help family members and neighbors in a safe and appropriate manner. The CERT concepts and organization are discussed, as well as applicable laws governing volunteers in Foster City. |
 - Natural gas, water and electrical controls: why, when and how to shut them off
-Types of fire and use of extinguishers to put the fire out
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Covers fire chemistry, fire hazards, fire suppression strategies, and how to safely use a fire extinguisher to put out a small fire. Also learn how to size up a situation and control utilities in case of an emergency. |
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- Health considerations for the rescuer
- Opening airways, stopping bleeding and controlling shock
- START triage
- Disaster Psychology
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Participants practice diagnosing and treating airway obstruction, bleeding, and shock by using simple triage and rapid treatment techniques. Class covers signs and symptoms that might be experienced by the disaster victim and worker. |
 - Minor burns
- Applying splints to arms and legs
- Practicing Disaster Medical Skills
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Evaluate victims by doing a head to toe assessment, establishing a medical treatment area, performing basic first aid, and practicing in a safe and sanitary manner. |
 - Conducting search and rescue operations - Lifting heavy objects and mechanical advantage
- Victim carries
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Participants learn about search and rescue planning, size-up, search techniques, rescue techniques, and most important, rescuer safety. Also learn how to lift heavy objects using cribbing methods. |
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- Proper use of FRS radios
- Composing emergency messages
- Hands-on practice with FRS Radios
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Learn about various radios used during emergencies and how to compose emergency messages. Covers the proper and most effective way to use FRS radios when other communication methods such as telephones, are unavailable following a disaster.
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- Disaster plans and where CERT fits in
- CERT Incident Command System; managing a disaster
- CERT Documentation
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Addresses CERT organization and management principles and the need for documentation during emergencies. Learn about the Incident Command System which is used to manage a disaster and effectively deploy help. |
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- Extinguishing fires
- Triaging and treating victims
- Search and rescue
- Extricating a victim trapped by heavy timbers
- Interior search for reported missing persons
- Award of achievement and course evaluation
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Students spend four hours rotating through various skills stations in which they practice and implement the course teachings over the previous eight weeks. At the end of the hands-on exercises, students receive recognition certifications.
Skills Day: Held on Saturday following CERT program completion. |
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- AM Skills Day from 8:00am to 12:15 pm
- PM Earthquake Drill from 1:00pm to 5:00 pm
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The Earthquake Drill gives class participants the ability to fully practice all of the above skills they have learned. In this simulation exercise teams are deployed from an Incident Command Post to assist seemingly real disaster struck victims. Participants benefit from practicing in the intensity of a life-like situation.
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Foster City Fire Department l 1040 E. Hillsdale Blvd, Foster City CA 94404 l (650)286-3350 l fire@fostercity.org |
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CERT Program
