Emergency team taking applications for training academy

The Carson City Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) will be offering a free Basic Training Academy in mid-January and is accepting applications from persons interested in volunteering, according to a news release from the city.

“CERT is a nationwide program of community volunteers who help prepare their local communities for critical events and support first responders in the event of a real-world incident,” reads the release. “CERT volunteers are not paid, but their contributions to their community are extremely valuable.”

Carson City CERT members played a vital role during recent disasters, according to authorities.

“They helped staff the evacuation center at Fuji Park during the Caldor Fire and worked closely with American Red Cross; they have supported Carson City Health & Human Services during recent vaccine clinics; they staffed a warming shelter last winter during power outages; and they supported the Emergency Operations Center during the 2023 Nevada Day Parade,” reads the release.

The Basic Training Academy includes training in disaster preparedness, fire safety and utility control, disaster medical operations, disaster psychology, light search and rescue and terrorism. The academy training consists of approximately 26 hours of classroom instruction delivered over six sessions in two weeks (Thursday-Friday evening and Saturday all day), culminating with a practical demonstration of the learned skills. All sessions must be completed to graduate.

“You do not have to live in Carson City to participate, and no special skills or prior training is needed to participate in this training, although candidates with complementary skills, training or language capabilities are desired,” according to city officials. “Every community member can contribute, in their own way, to help their community be better prepared to respond to hazards. If you’re between 16-17 years old, you can attend with a signed parent’s permission release. There will be light lifting and light carrying of equipment during the training.”

Community members who complete the CERT Basic Training Academy will be encouraged to participate in Carson City CERT activities throughout the year, which include attending training meetings once a month, participating in other training and exercises, providing preparedness materials to the community during public events and supporting first responders during critical events.

Seats for the CERT Basic Training Academy are limited, and interested individuals are encouraged to submit an application as soon as possible. Contact CERT at cert@carson.org. Those interested will receive an application that must be completed and returned to cert@carson.org no later than Dec. 12.

For information, visit www.carson.org/CERT.