Emergency preparedness is an important component of a successful community. The recent severe weather-related tragedies in the Illinois communities of Ottawa and LaSalle County as well as the severe flooding experienced as recently as July in McHenry and Lake County communities remind us of the importance of disaster preparedness. The West Chicago Police Department and the City of West Chicago would like residents to know that the West Chicago Citizen Corps is offering another Community Emergency Response Training (CERT) course.
The West Chicago Citizens Corps has worked hard to educate the public on important actions to take in the event of a natural or manmade disaster through a seven-week training course. The CERT course will meet every Wednesday evening, starting September 27th, 2017 from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. There is no fee for this course. Participants must be at least 18 years old and live or work in the City of West Chicago or the West Chicago Fire Protection District.
CERT training is designed to provide basic training in disaster preparedness, which increases the ability of citizens to survive until responders or other assistance arrives. The seven-week course will include instruction on the following: Weather Safety, Fire and Life Safety, Medical, Light Search and Rescue, CERT Organization, Psychology and Terrorism.
Retired WCFPD Chief Robert Hodge explained, “Everyone that attends this course learns valuable lessons that may change their life. Learning how to properly bandage an injury, use a fire extinguisher or lift a heavy object that has someone trapped, may be very useful when an emergency hits your community or neighborhood.”
According to former FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate, “No matter how much the federal government, the State or the local officials do to prepare, we can’t do it alone-individuals and families must do their part to be ready in case of an emergency. The public is the most important member of the nation’s emergency management team.”
This course will be conducted at the West Chicago Fire Protection District training center located at 320 Kress Rd. To enroll, residents should email Det. Robbi Peterson at rpeterson@westchicago.org with their name, address and contact number.
