What is C.E.R.T.?
C.E.R.T. stands for Community Emergency Response Team. This is a program developed by the Los Angeles Fire Department to assist citizens in the event of earthquakes and other disasters. The premise is that trained citizens will be better prepared to assist each other in an emergency during the critical time immediately after the event, until such time as the professionals can arrive at their location. The Federal Government adopted this program as a model for nationwide use. The program is supported through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
How do I get involved with C.E.R.T.?
You must contact Lori Matson at 690-3968 at the fire department to sign up for initial training. This training consists of eight classes held one night per week for eight weeks, with each class lasting approximately three hours. Topics include; basic first aid, light search and rescue, fire fighting, hazardous materials recognition, and an overview on how the Emergency Response system works.
What's going on at the fire station on Murrell Road? I see that firefighters are building things on this site.
The firefighters have renewed the effort to build a training center on this site. The construction you have seen is the work of many firefighters to realize this dream. At present they have built a three story tower for ladder work, rope work and hose training. In addition to this, a confined space rescue simulator has been developed and put in place. Plans are to continue to develop this site by including LP Gas and Natural Gas simulated emergency props, an extrication pad, roof ventilation simulator and eventually a burn building. The existing concrete block structure on the south-west corner is planned to be used as a collapse rescue simulator.
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