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6 | LIFE IN SOLERA | DECEMBER 2022 | Solera CERT Cadre Building Resilient Communities The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program educates volunteers about disaster preparedness for the 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. CERT offers a consistent, nationwide approach to volunteer training and organization that professional responders can rely on during disaster situations, which allows them to focus on more complex tasks. Through CERT, the capabilities to prepare for, respond to and recover from disasters is built and enhanced. CERT training is a commitment of 20 hours of training. There is no cost for the training. Only those who successfully complete the practical exercise with hands-on instruction in fire suppression, search and rescue, cribbing, and medical training will receive a certificate of completion. CERT courses may be subject to cancellation at any time prior to start of class, if minimum registration number is not met The next classes are Jan. 13-15, 2023. Friday, Jan. 13, 5 to 9 pm; Sat., Jan. 14, 8 am to 5 pm; and Sun., Jan. 15, 8 am to 5 pm. There will be a one-hour break for lunch on Saturday and Sunday. Classes are held at the Beaumont Civic Center, 550 E. 6th Street in Beaumont. Register online at https://bre.is/7DZ5yuYn or scan the QR code. For more information or ADA assistance, contact us at (951) 358-7100 or EMDTraining@RivCo.org. CERT IN ACTION In September and October, our region suffered deadly fires and floods. We had the Radford Fire in Running Springs and the Fairview Fire in Hemet. In addition, the Apple Fire and the El Dorado Fire burn scorched areas were subjected to an unusual amount of rain, thereby causing flooding and huge mud/debris flows in the Forest Falls area. Unfortunately, lives were lost to these devastating acts of nature. The fires and flooding were not sudden occurrences. Government officials and public safety professionals warned area residents of the dangers and impending disaster. Unfortunately, people did not heed the warnings and did not properly prepare for an evacuation. A question may occur to you as, "How would you know people were not prepared?" Aside from being a proponent of CERT in Solera, I am also a volunteer with the American Red Cross. Based on my past life experience (public safety professional), I perform a plethora of duties within the public safety realm and disaster preparedness of the Red Cross. One of my duties was to assess damage to the area and ensure the safety of residents using the four Red Cross shelters activated. While strolling through the shelters that housed about 500 clients, I had the opportunity to talk to the many displaced residents. Most told me that they did not take the evacuation warnings seriously. Worse yet, many of the clients did not have enough supplies or resources to accommodate the week evacuation from their homes. Having so many clients did strain the resources of the Red Cross. Manpower was a challenge, but through partnerships with the city and county CERT programs, we received a constant flow of volunteers. Their CERT skills were put to good use regarding disaster psychology. Also, CERT volunteers used their logistical skills to collect and distribute personal hygiene supplies and clothing to the clients in the shelter. If you recall, these clients fled their houses without their essentials. Remember to prepare for disaster events. Take the first step by building an emergency kit, also known as a "Bug Out Bag." Visit our YouTube training channel to discover how to build your kit today. The link can be found on our website. Solera CERT website: https://www. solera-cert.info. ~ Ray C. Gayton- Jacob, ray.n6kzm@gmail.com