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July 2024
CERT Auxiliary of Santa Cruz Country
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Shout Outs!
Kudos to all the folks who make our CERT classes possible.
The Listos California CERT Support Program approved $25,000 State Grant this month. The funding will supply backpacks filed with equipment, supplies and PPE for 200 graduates of the CERT Basic Training Course. Additionally, the grant will provide funds for 300 MURS radios to be sold for $30 to CERTs and individuals in vulnerable disaster-prone areas to set-up communication networks. There is more about this program in the newsletter.
Santa Cruz Rotary provided a $1500 grant. Funds will be used to help support expendable supplies for CERT Basic Training Courses, Stop the Bleed and Continuing Education Classes. Thank you Rotarians!
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Talk to a CERT
Do you have questions about disaster preparedness? Do you wonder about the value of CERT Basic training? How do CERTs get involved in the community after being trained? We have several tabling events coming up. Drop on by our booth, pick up a CERT flyer, literature on fire safety and earthquake preparedness, and ask any questions you might have.
Event: Loma Prieta "Be Prepared" workshop
Date: Saturday, July 20th, 2024
Time: 6 – 8:30pm
Location: Redwood Amphitheater, Loma Prieta
Event: Santa Cruz Mountains Firewise Festival
Date: Sunday, July 21st, 2024
Time: 11:00am – 5:00pm
Location: Roaring Camp, Felton
Event: National Night Out - Watsonville
Date: Tuesday, August 8th, 2024
Time: 3:00pm – 7:00pm
Location: 30 Maple Ave, Downtown Watsonville
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CERT BASIC FOR CERTS AND NON-CERTS | |
CERT Basic Training - open to all
Fall classes throughout the County
Santa Cruz County’s Community Emergency Response Team Auxiliary seeks volunteers ready to learn how to stay safe when disaster strikes and to assist the community during natural disasters and other significant events.
Enrollment is now open for volunteers willing and able to take CERT Basic training during upcoming 21 hour classes.
San Lorenzo Valley CERT Basic Class
When: Four Thursday evenings. August 22nd, 8/29, 9/5 and 9/12. and September 14th, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m
Where: Thursday evenings at Boulder Creek Volunteer Fire Station Community Room, Central Ave, Boulder Creek.
The final full training day and hands-on assessment will be held from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m, September 14th will be at the Central Fire District Administration Building and practice yard, Live Oak.
Watsonville Weekend Warrior CERT Basic Class
When: Three full Saturdays. September 21st and 28th, 9am - 5 pm, and October 5th, 9 - 4:30..
Where: Watsonville Fire Stn. #2, 371 Airport Blvd, Watsonville. The final full training day and hands-on assessment will be held from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m, October 5th at the Central Fire District Administration Building and practice yard, Live Oak.
Central County CERT Basic Class
When: Four Thursday evenings. October 24th, November 7th, 14th, 21st. The final full training day and hands-on assessment will be held from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. November 30th .
Where: Central Fire District Administration Building and practice yard, 930 17th, Live Oak.
CERTs are trained in responding to emergencies in their neighborhoods and develop life-saving skills with emphasis on decision-making ability, rescuer safety, and doing the greatest good for the greatest number of people. All sessions are required to become a CERT volunteer. Spanish-language materials available. CERT Training is a no-cost, FEMA-certified course available to Santa Cruz County residents.
To sign up for a class, CLICK HERE. Then select from the menu for the location/session you want. You will receive an email confirmation within 5 minutes.
Instructors and Instructors-in-Training
SIGN UP TO TEACH HERE
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Crowd and Traffic Management Training for DSW
CERT
This course provides training concepts and techniques applicable to crowd and traffic management. Students will learn communication strategies for the public and motorists, how to safely move crowds and traffic through an incident area in a variety of ways, and how to create and understand management plans for crowds and traffic. Course includes lecture and hands-on components with a strong emphasis on practicing skills.
Both the Friday evening and the Saturday session are required.
When: Friday, August 23, 2024: 6:30pm to 9:00pm, Central Fire Community room, 930 17th Ave, Santa Cruz
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Saturday, August 24, 2024: Session 1 - 10:00am to 12:00pm OR Session 2 - 1:00pm to 3:00pm Parking Lot L, Cabrillo College
Attendees will be given an ANSI Class 2 CERT Retro-reflective vest if one is needed.
Any CERT who has taken the class previously may take this class again, as room allows, since it has been 5 years from the last offering and a refresher may be needed.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
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Last Chance to Sign up for T3!
For CERTS, Firefighters, and
Law Enforcement
This Train-the-Trainer course prepares participants to teach CERT Basic Training. Students will be able to convey the intent of the CERT Program (e.g. safety, teamwork, place in local emergency operations plan) and assure Basic Training students achieve the objectives of the CERT Basic Training curriculum.
Prerequisites:
All students (Santa Cruz County including Loma Prieta)
- Completion of CERT Basic Training within the past 5 years or current recertification.
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Special exceptions to the CERT Basic Course requirement may be made for individuals with extensive fire or police background. Contact Mary Edmund.
When: Friday, August 2 - Sunday, August 4, 2024, 08:30am - 5:30pm.
Where: Cabrillo College, 6500 Soquel Drive, Aptos, CA, Room 201
Space is limited, but as of now we have room.
For details and to register, CLICK HERE
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Upcoming HAM Radio License Class | |
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What: Free Limited Ham Radio Technician Study Group
When:The class will start on Tuesday, September 24th from 7:00 - 9 pm and will run for six weeks.
Where: County Sheriff/EOC building at 5200 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz.
For more information: Attached is a flier that further describes the class .
Sign Up Here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D4DA9A822A4F4CE9-amateur
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Stay Safe Out There This Summer
By Dr. John Hanley, Safety Officer
As summer temperatures rise, it's crucial for all CERT volunteers to prioritize their safety to avoid heat-related illnesses. Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day, and take regular breaks in shaded or cool areas to prevent overheating. On very hot days, if you have no air conditioning, take advantage of places such as our public libraries and malls that have air conditioning. Perhaps take in a movie during the heat of the day. Wear lightweight, light-colored, and loose-fitting clothing, and don't forget to apply sunscreen to protect your skin from harmful UV rays.
Make certain to pack any of your important medication‘s in your Go Bag that you may need when volunteering such as inhalers, etc. Be mindful of the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke, such as dizziness, nausea, excessive sweating, and confusion. If you or a fellow CERT volunteer experience these symptoms, seek immediate medical attention.
In addition to heat-related precautions, it's important to stay vigilant about respiratory viruses, which can still be a concern even in warm weather. Practice good hygiene by washing your hands frequently with soap and water, and use hand sanitizer when soap isn't available. If you feel unwell or exhibit symptoms of a respiratory infection, such as coughing, sneezing, or a sore throat, it's best to stay home to prevent spreading illness to others. When working in close proximity to others, consider wearing a mask, especially in crowded or enclosed areas. By taking these precautions, you can help ensure a safe and healthy summer for all CERT volunteers.
And, from FEMA, 15 Ways to be Summer Ready When Traveling During Extreme Heat
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Help Your Neighborhood Stay Safe
Throughout the County local vulnerable high-risk neighborhoods have set up MURS radio networks made up of CERTS and non-CERTs alike. When power and cell service goes down, these radio Nets can use MURS radios to reach out to each other and if necessary to a ARES/Ham radio operator who can connect to our County Emergency Dispatch. Examples of these network groups can be found in Day Valley, Bonny Doon, and Seacliff Mobile Home Park in Aptos.
Are you an active CERT interested in preparing your neighborhood for loss of phone use and receive programmed MURS radios? Thanks to a California CERT Support grant, we will be able to offer MURS radios for $30 (normal cost $70) to help establish a communication network. All you, the CERT, will need to do is assist people to learn basic radio use and establish a routine radio check-in. Your neighborhood will thank you for your contribution in establishing community and ability to communicate in an emergency or disaster.
Please provide the following information and send it to certauxiliary@gmail.com. You will be contacted to make arrangements to receive the radios.
Name & DSW #:
Email:
Cell Phone:
Area of Network:
Number of Homes:
Plan:
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Neuroscientists have found that making a donation makes the brain's reward circuitry light up more than receiving a gift. Moreover, the joy of giving a gift lasts longer than the fleeting pleasure of accepting it." - Fast Company,
Science explains the surprising benefits of gift giving
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