Learn how to respond to disasters with North Aurora Community Emergency Response Team

The North Aurora Community Emergency Response Team is seeking good people to join its team of disaster response volunteers.

No previous training or experience is needed; just some time, dedication and the desire to learn and be a part of a team.

Joining the team begins with attending the Basic Community Emergency Response Team training course, which teaches citizens basic disaster response skills to help them better cope with the aftermath of a disaster. Through knowledge learned in the classroom and during exercises, CERT members are able to help others in their neighborhood or workplace in the immediate aftermath of a disaster such as a tornado, explosion, or flood.

The topics of the six-week/21-hour course are:

• Disaster Preparedness and Team Organization;

• Disaster Medical Operations (two parts);

• Light Search and Rescue Operations;

• Disaster Fire Suppression & Utility Controls;

• Disaster Psychology

The course meets from 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays, May 2 to June 6. The final session will be a disaster simulation exercise from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, June 9. Don't worry if you can't make a session or two or if you'll arrive a little late.

There is no obligation to become a volunteer; citizens may take the course for their own knowledge.

Those that choose to volunteer are provided uniforms and equipment and offered additional training opportunities including severe weather recognition, CPR/first aid/AED use, traffic control, damage assessment, and ground search and rescue.

For information, contact Scott Buziecki, emergency management coordinator, at (630) 897-8705, ext. 752 or sbuziecki@northaurora.org.

To download an application, go to northaurora.org/forms.aspx.