Training offered to be prepared for anything

Community Emergency Response Team offers training so citizens know what to do if the awful happens.

The Westshore Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) is holding a Basic Training Class in 2019, according to a news release.

The program educates people about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization and disaster medical operations, the release said.

Team members can assist others in their neighborhoods or workplaces following an event when professional responders are not immediately available to help, the release said.

Members are encouraged to support emergency response agencies by taking a more active role in emergency preparedness projects in their community, according to the release.

For more information, visit https://www.fema.gov/ community-emergency-response-teams.

The class will meet for eight consecutive Wednesday evenings from 6:30-8:30 p.m. beginning Feb. 20 until April 10 and a final drill April 13.

Classes will take place at the Westlake Service Center, 741 Bassett Road in Westlake.

Attending Basic Training does not obligate participants to remain active with the team, according to the release.