Following the devastation of the Woolsey Fire, the Malibu community has a unique opportunity to come together and reemerge stronger than before. One of the best ways to prepare for wildfire and other disasters, as well as unite as a community, is to participate in the next Community Emergency Response Team training, which will be held on three consecutive Saturdays in January 2019.
“As we know, Malibu is vulnerable to disasters, whether they are wildfires, earthquakes or flooding and mudslides, so I encourage everyone to CERT trained so they can be part of community preparedness,” said Mayor Rick Mullen, who is also an L.A. County Fire Captain. “The Malibu CERT team self-mobilized during the catastrophic Woolsey Fire and provided critical assistance to community members in need.”
During the Woolsey Fire, CERT team members accessed the City’s emergency supplies containers and distributed supplies to residents.
CERT is a highly-acclaimed program of free courses administered by the City of Malibu and by public safety agencies across the country that empowers citizens to help during disasters. Volunteers are trained in basic first aid, fire suppression, and search and rescue so that they can provide emergency assistance to their neighbors.
CERT volunteers are a crucial part of the City’s ability to prepare and respond to disasters. During the Woolsey Fire, Malibu CERT volunteers contributed about 300 hours of service to the emergency response by distributing food and medical supplies, assisting with evacuations, and administering basic first aid.
In August 2017, the City Council adopted the official CERT Program Guidelines, an important step in formally incorporating the program and the trained, dedicated CERT volunteers into the City’s emergency management system. The guidelines outline the requirements to become a member of the Malibu CERT Team, organizational structure, team responsibilities, ongoing participation requirements, and activation procedures.
In addition to their first aid, search and rescue, and other training, CERT members will complete FEMA (Federal Emergency Manager Agency) trainings, serve at least 30 hours per year, attend regular meetings and drills, and will be registered as Disaster Service Workers.
CERT Class Schedule:
Saturday, January 12, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Saturday, January 19, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Saturday, January 26, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
For more information or to sign up, visit www.malibusafety.eventbrite.com, call Public Safety Specialist Stephanie Berger at 310-456-2489 ext. 368, or email SBerger@malibucity.org.
Submitted by Matt Myerhoff
