WesternU hosts CERT Training

More than 20 people participated in Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training June 11-13, 2014 on the WesternU Pomona campus to better prepare for and respond to a disaster. WesternU faculty, staff and one student, along with three Pomona citizens, participated in the free training.

The Los Angeles County Fire Department CERT developed and taught the program to provide basic training in safety and life-saving skills for the general public.

Curriculum included disaster preparedness; disaster fire suppression/hazardous materials; disaster medical operations; light search and rescue; disaster psychology; and a session on terrorism. The class ended with a practical exam of drill and triage at the Anderson Tower (Chase building).

The purpose of the training is to provide individuals with the basic skills needed to respond to community needs in the aftermath of a disaster, when emergency services are not immediately available, according to CERT’s introduction and overview.