Prepared in Nashua: Free Community Emergency Preparedness Training

The Nashua Office of Emergency Management is offering free community emergency preparedness training this spring.

The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program "educates people about disaster preparedness for hazards that can and may impact the area of Greater Nashua and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations," according to Justin Kates Nashua’s Director of Emergency Management.

"Part of being prepared means having an emergency kit, making a plan, and staying informed,” Kates said in a press release. "The Community Emergency Response Team training will teach you all of that and more."

Highlights from Kates' announcement of the CERT class being hosted at Dartmouth Hitchcock's Nashua campus on the  night of April 25, and all day on April 26 and April 27:

• The CERT program also prepares participants for the everyday emergency through hands on interactive training. Each participant will get the opportunity to use a fire extinguisher in the live fire exercise and practice shutting off utilities on the demo gas meter and electric panel.
• The CERT program is an all­-risk, all­-hazard training that will give you the tools and training to be ready. The class is taught by emergency response professionals from the Nashua Community giving participants an opportunity to interact will their local responders. Upon completion of the program, participants will receive their National CERT certification. Interested citizens may go on to join the City of Nashua’s CERT team which provides support to the City during disasters.
• Registration is required, and it is recommended that citizens sign up now, as previous classes have filled up quickly. To sign up for the course, visit www.nashuanh.gov/CERT. For more information contact the Nashua Office of Emergency Management at cert@nashuanh.gov or at 603­-589-­3260.