Free Emergency Reponse Training Available in Altadena

Residents who wondered during the wind storm how they might fare if a more serious disaster occurred will now have an opportunity to receive training in emergency responsiveness.

The Los Angeles County Fire Department is holding a free three-class session for those wishing to receive Community Emergency Response Training (CERT), a certificated program that helps train residents in fire safety, first aid, search and rescue techniques and more.

The courses will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on January 21, January 28, and February 4. Participants will need to attend all three sessions to get certified. The classes are held at the  community building.

Those interested should register at http://fire.lacounty.gov/cert or call 661-287-6390.

Paul Dutton, CV CERT Coordinator, had one question for locals following the windstorm during the CV Town Council meeting on Dec. 15: 'Now, are you ready?'

"This is our dry run," Dutton said. "This is our warning, let’s get ready."

Dutton encourages residents to get ready and prepare with a family disaster plan, especially for when the 'Big One' earthquake strikes, he said. 

“We’re talking about seven to ten days that you’re going to need power or lights,” Dutton said.

He recommends having a generator, gas for the generator and funnel for the gas - things that locals can learn at a CERT training. Vehicle gas should be kept at half a tank or above because when power went out during the windstorm people couldn't purchase gas. 

People without landline phones should consider adding a landline in case of an outage, which will continue to work, Dutton said. 

Dutton would like to implement a program Huntington Beach has, where each resident has two cards, one red and one green. In the case of a disaster, locals can put a green card on their window or door indicating they are safe and red to alert for help.