Do you have the disaster skills to help your neighborhood through the first 72 hours after a major disaster? We’re talking earthquake – our “worst case” disaster scenario! If not, have we got a deal for you - free disaster skills training, to anyone who lives or works in Hillsboro!

The City of Hillsboro provides you with quality emergency fire and medical services on a daily basis. In the wake of a disaster, however, they may be unavailable due to an overwhelming number of calls for service or road damage/debris. Some basic training in disaster survival and rescue skills would improve your neighborhood’s ability to survive until emergency responders or other assistance could arrive.

The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program motto is “Neighbors Helping Neighbors.” Taught by Hillsboro firefighters, CERT teaches the disaster skills you may need in the event of a major earthquake. Our “ideal” CERT member is anyone who desires to learn the skills to assist themselves and their neighbors during a disaster. The class meets one evening per week for eight weeks, and it is offered three times each year. During the course, you’ll be outside and in the Fire Station truck bay, so please wear weather-appropriate clothing that you don’t mind getting dirty!

The course consists of the following: disaster preparedness, fire suppression, disaster medicine (2 weeks), light search & rescue (2 weeks), disaster psychology, and team organization; and it all culminates with a simulated disaster where you put your new skills to work.

For more information or to register, please contact Sharon Kennedy, City of Hillsboro Emergency Manager, at (503) 681-6412 or email CERT.

 

Our website is located at HillsboroCERT.org