On the weekend of January 18th, 2013 the Riverside County Office of Emergency Services, Temecula Fire Department, and Temecula Citizen Corps volunteers, conducted the very first Teen CERT course in Riverside County. CERT is Community Emergency Response Team and it provides the training needed to learn the basic methods and offers the basic tools on how to approach a disaster such as an earthquake, conduct a search and rescue, render first aid, use small fire extinguishers, and much more.
There were 15 students in attendance from various schools in the area including Great Oak, Temecula Valley, Vista Murrieta and Chaparral High School. They completed the required 20 hours of course work which included lecture/classroom time, group discussion/team work strategies, hands-on practice, and a simulated disaster drill in order to complete the practice of “look, listen, feel, and approach with caution” strategy that CERT teaches. Some people may be prone to jump in and help in emergencies while others stand back and do not know what to do. CERT will offer an opportunity to become familiar with hazards and when to not approach them but to instead leave them for the professionals to handle.
While adults who complete the CERT course are able to be part of an emergency response team for the City of Temecula under the Temecula Citizen Corps organization, our 15 students are now ready to approach a disaster with caution and knowledge whether it be at home and in their immediate neighborhood or at their school to help personnel aid those that might be injured, lost or afraid.
The next Teen CERT course in Temecula will be offered in October and one for adults is being offered in April. Please visit our website for more information and registration at www.cityoftemecula.org under Temecula Citizen Corps or CERT.