Sign up for April 5 disaster training course
Emergency preparedness is top of mind in West Chicago. The recent tragedy in Japan drives home the need to be ready before a disaster occurs.
According to the Illinois Emergency Management Agency, Illinois is at risk from two major seismic zones, the Wabash Valley Seismic Zone and the New Madrid Seismic Zone.
IEMA has announced an event, "The Great Central U.S. Shake Out," which will take place at 10:15 a.m. Thursday, April 28 to bring public awareness to the risk in Illinois and to help people be better prepared through a drill that practices the protective actions of “drop, cover and hold”.
The West Chicago Citizen Corps has worked hard to educate the public on important actions to take in the event of a natural or manmade disaster through a seven-week training course. The Community Emergency Response Training (CERT) course will meet from 7 to 10 p.m. Tuesdays, starting April 5. There is no fee for the course.
Participants must be at least 18 years old or older, and either live or work in the City of West Chicago or the West Chicago Fire Protection District.
CERT training is designed to provide basic training in disaster preparedness, which increases the ability of citizens to survive until responders or other assistance arrives.
Courses include; Weather Safety, Fire and Life Safety, Medical, Light Search and Rescue, CERT Organization, Psychology, and Terrorism.
Deputy Fire Chief Robert Hodge said, “Everyone that attends the course learns valuable lessons that may change their life. Learning how to bandage an injury, use a fire extinguisher, or lift a heavy object that has trapped someone, may be very useful when an emergency hits your neighborhood.”
According to FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate, “No matter how much the federal government, the state, or local officials do to prepare, we can't do it alone – individuals and families must do their part to be ready in case of an emergency. The public is the most important member of the nation's emergency management team”
Adding his thoughts on the importance of preparedness, Mayor Mike Kwasman said, “No one knows where or when epidemics, natural disasters, or grave emergencies may occur. The CERT course gives residents the opportunity to learn how they can help themselves and their neighbors, and directly support professional emergency responders. Trained citizens react in times of urgency, and may save lives. I urge all West Chicago residents to attend this course.”
The course will be conducted at the Fire Protection District Headquarters, located at 200 Fremont St. To enroll, residents should call Deputy Chief Bob Hodge at (630) 231-2123 or Sergeant Chris Woodill at (630) 293-2222.
Additional information about the earthquake risk in Illinois, including steps to take before, during and after an earthquake, is available at www.Ready.Illinois.gov. More information on the Great Central U.S. Shake Out may be found at www.shakeout.org/centralus.