With the recent earthquakes in the Imperial Valley and Yorba Linda, we are once again reminded that any part of California is just a jolt away from finding itself in a disasterous situation.
There was a sharp jolt in Los Alamitos on Aug. 29, but it was like a quick bump and it was done. I felt it while here in the News Enterprise news room, and even the short ones can be a little unnerving. For those who would like to be more prepared, the West Orange County Regional branch of the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), will be holding a training course on emergency preparedness on consecutive weekends, later this month.
The 24-hour course will run Sept. 21-22 and Sept. 28-29. Fridays will be from 6 to 9 p.m. and Saturdays classes will run from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The course will be held on the Joint Forces Training Base, at building 244. The base is at 11200 Lexington Dr., in Los Alamitos.
According to CERT, the course covers topics such as disaster preparedness, first aid, light search and rescue, fire suppression and disaster psychology. The four-day course is the beginning class and those who continue on to take the advanced training course are then certified disaster service workers and could be called upon to assist in the event of a major disaster.
The West Orange County CERT team is comprised of citizens of the cities of Los Alamitos, Cypress, La Palma, Seal Beach, Westminster and Buena Park. Companies are encouraged to make it beneficial to their employees to take the course.
According to CERT, historical records have shown that some neighborhoods, schools and businesses have to rely on themselves for up to a week or two for help after a major earthquake.
For more information on the West County CERT and the upcoming training program e-mail to westcountycert@yahoo.com, or call 562-366-8880, to register. You can also visit them on line at www.westcountycert.com. The cost for the four-day course is $23, and cash, check of a money order is required.