Free training on disaster response

On Oct. 6, the Community Emergency Response Team will start a free training program to educate residents of South Santa Clara County in basic disaster response skills.
The program is open to residents 18 and older living in Morgan Hill, San Martin and Gilroy. Residents between the ages of 14 and 17 will also be able to attend sessions if accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Training will take place over the course of three Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.  The Gilroy Senior Center will host the first two sessions on Oct. 6 and Oct. 20. The final session will be held at the Morgan Hill Corporation Yard on Nov. 3.
Skills taught at the program include fire safety, light search and rescue, emergency medical operations, community response team organization, and disaster psychology.
“Following completion of the CERT program, graduates will be better prepared for isolated emergencies and large scale disasters which will lessen the chances of loss of life and property,” said Jennifer Ponce of the Morgan Hill Office of Emergency Services. “This is a value to graduates themselves, their families, neighbors and our community at large.”