By: Ryan Duey
Photo Courtesy of Ottawa County, KS Facebook Page
The Dickinson, Saline, and Ottawa County Emergency Management Departments are collaborating to bring a free Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Training to Minneapolis from August 18th through the 22nd at the Ottawa County Courthouse from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. each night.
CERT Training equips community members with valuable skills during crucial times following a disaster. Chancy Smith, Emergency Management Director of Dickinson County, and Alyssa Sanchez of Saline County will be the instructors. Smith spoke about the importance of CERT Training.
“The CERT training started a long time ago. There would be a big earthquake or something, and the responders would be so overwhelmed that sometimes it would be days before they could get to the citizens who needed help.”
“So, they came up with this CERT program to kind of mitigate that and to get people trained on how to take care of themselves after a disaster.”
Smith said they started the CERT Program in 2006, which became a valuable asset during the 2008 Chapman Tornado. The training program will equip community members with the knowledge to respond effectively in the event of a disaster and to collaborate with responders.
Smith said this training is for anybody, young and old.
“The biggest thing to point out is you’re never too old or you’re never too young to take the training. We have members in my program in Dickinson County from ages 14 to 88 years.”
“We could use every age group; there’s a job that everybody can do. Don’t think that there is anything that you won’t get out of the training.”
Attendees will come away from the class prepared to take care of themselves and their communities during those crucial hours following a disaster.
To learn more about the training or to RSVP, contact Ottawa County Emergency Management Coordinator Marie Ballou at otem@ottwawcounty.org or by calling (785) 392-3600.
