Free emergency response training offered to the public

The Nevada Community Emergency Response Team Program will conduct a free, two-day, training class hosted and held at Preferred RV Resort in its clubhouse on Saturday, Aug. 16, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday, Aug. 17, from 8 a.m. to about 1 p.m.

The instructors are Paige Spencer and Rick Diebold, who are certified Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) instructors. The classes are broken down into nine modules.

Module one: Disaster Preparedness — Addresses hazards to which people are vulnerable. It covers actions their families can take before, during and after a disaster. The instructor will explain the expanded role they take as they begin to consider themselves as disaster workers.

Module two: Disaster Fire Suppression — Briefly covers fire chemistry, hazardous materials, fire hazards, and fire suppression strategies, However, the thrust of this session is the safe use of fire extinguishers, sizing up the situation, controling utilities, and extinguishing small fires.

Module three, Part I: Disaster Medical Operations — The class practices diagnosing and treating airway obstructions, bleeding and shock by using simple triage and rapid treatment techniques.

Module Four, Part II: Disaster Medical Operations — covers evaluating patients by doing a head to toe assessment, establishing a medical treatment area, performing basic first aid in a safe and sanitary manner.

Module five, Light Search And Rescue Operations — Participants learn about search and rescue planning, sizing-up, search techniques, rescue techniques, and most important, rescue safety.

Module Six, Disaster Psychology — Covers signs and symptoms that might be experienced by the disaster victim and worker.

Module Seven, Team Organization — Addresses CERT organization’s Incident Command System (ICS), management principles and the need for documentation.

Module Eight, Weapons Of Mass Destruction — Presents the goals and types of weapons used most commonly by terrorists.

Module Nine, Course Review And Disaster Simulation — Participants review their answers from a take-home examination. Finally, they practice the skills they have learned during the previous six sessions in a practice disaster activity.

Each participant will receive a certificate of completion. They will receive a backpack containing some emergency tools and equipment. Each will be listed with the county’s Emergency Management Services.

Herb Melvoin completed the training earlier this year. He said, “The training is very informative. I learned a lot and feel I could be lots of help during an emergency.” Melvoin added the clubhouse was made available through the generosity of resort manager James Horton.

To register for the class go to www.nvcert.org and click on CERT Course Registration. On the calendar, register for course #2014-14. Seating is limited so act quickly.

Preferred RV Resort is located at 1801 Crawford Way, behind Gold Town Casino.

Contact Creag Rowland by emailngcreag.pvtimes@gmail.com.