Disaster Preparation and Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)

The threat of a large-scale disaster is present every day and it is each person’s responsibility to prepare themselves and their immediate family to survive on their own for a minimum of seven days following such an event. Examples of disaster threats to the City of Murrieta include earthquake, hazardous materials and biological incidents, flooding, terrorism, and wildfire.

In an effort to protect lives and property and minimize the effect of disasters, the Murrieta Fire Department has a comprehensive Disaster Preparedness plan and provides emergency planning and training in the community. The City’s Emergency Operations Center is located in the Murrieta Police Department and a Mobile Command Post is housed at Fire Station #1 and available for rapid deployment to field incidents by both the Fire and Police Departments.

Volunteer groups such as Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT) can be instrumental in helping professional emergency personnel in the initial days and weeks after a major disaster. CERT Training is designed to prepare you to help yourself, your family, and your neighbors in the event of a catastrophic disaster. You and the community may be on your own for a period of time because of the size of the areas affected, lost communications, and impassable roads. CERT Training consists of basic understanding of Disaster Preparation, Fire Suppression, First Aid and CPR, Light Search and Rescue, Disaster Teamwork. A 20 hour course offered free of charge, participants will receive safety gear, a backpack with rescue equipment, and identification card to be used in the event of a large-scale City emergency.

UPCOMING 2010 CERT TRAINING DATES:

November 19, 20 & 21

To register, Contact Murrieta Fire Department at 951-304-3473 or via email at dwilson@murrieta.org

Citizens can do their part in disaster situations by making sure they are prepared with the basic supplies and skills necessary to survive until help arrives. For information on how you can better prepare yourself to deal with a major disaster, view the Quick Checklist and the more comprehensive list of Home Emergency Supplies. For additional information, contact the Fire Department at (951) 304-3473