Hernando County Emergency Management is in search of volunteers over the age of 18 who are interested in joining the Hernando County Community Emergency Response Team (CERT).

CERT volunteers receive special training which enhances their ability to prepare for, respond to and recover from a disaster situation. As an organized team, they provide vital services in the absence of emergency responders, whose arrival may be delayed due to the severity of the event.

The next training class will run three consecutive Saturdays:

• March 31, 2018 – Disaster Preparedness and Disaster Fire Suppression
• April 7, 2018 – Disaster Medical 1 and Disaster Medical 2
• April 14, 2018 – Light Search and Rescue, Disaster Psychology and the Disaster Drill

Classes will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (with a break for lunch from noon to 1 p.m.) at the Emergency Operations Center located at 18900 Cortez Boulevard in Brooksville.

Previous emergency experience is not required. Training materials are provided free of charge. CERT members will be required to complete all modules and pass a level two background check (including fingerprints) before being issued equipment and CERT identification.

Call (352) 754-4083 for more information. Applications are available on the Hernando County Emergency Management’s website at http://www.hernandocounty.us/em/documents/forms/47-hernando-county-volunteer-application-1/file.

Applications must be submitted to Emergency Management Specialist Dan Santana via email at [email protected] or mailed to 18900 Cortez Blvd., Brooksville, FL 34601. Applications must be received by 5 p.m. on Thursday, March 22, 2018.