One of the goals of the Baptiste administration is to have a Community Emergency Response Team in every community on the island. “The fact is we don’t know when a disaster might strike so it’s important to be prepared,” said
One of the goals of the Baptiste administration is to have a Community Emergency Response Team in every community on the island.
“The fact is we don’t know when a disaster might strike so it’s important to be prepared,” said Mayor Bryan Baptiste in a prepared statement. “We’d like to set up a CERT in every town so that in the event of a disaster, each community can be organized and take care of itself until first responders arrive.”
This month, the county is sponsoring two CERT training courses simultaneously and more are planned over the course of the year.
One is will be from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Tuesday nights at Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School in Puhi. The other kicked off from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. yesterday, at Smith’s Tropical Paradise lu’au hale in Wailua.
Space is available at both locations and anyone interested is encouraged to sign up for the training. There is no charge to attend the classes.
During the training, participants will learn about different types of disasters and how to prepare for each type. Fire safety, first aid, CPR, light search and rescue, and disaster psychology will also be covered.
One of the favorite parts of the training is a segment on fire suppression taught by Captain David Bukoski, head of the Kauai Fire Department’s Prevention Bureau. Bukoski touches upon the basics of handling a fire extinguisher.
First-time users often learn the hard way. By the time they get the extinguisher working right, they have used up all the chemicals. In some instances, the extinguishers won’t even work because they’ve been stored improperly or have expired.
The basic CERT training program has been offered by the county free of charge since 2003. Nearly 200 people have completed the training, with the oldest active CERTs in Kilauea and Princeville.
The teams meet regularly for continuing education, which is provided by the fire department and the Kaua‘i Civil Defense Agency, and also to get to know other CERT members around the island and share ideas.
Mark Marshall, administrator of the Kaua‘i Civil Defense Agency, said in a prepared statement, “Self-preparedness is the first step, only then are we able to help others.”
For more information, call Community Response Specialist Catherine Stovall at 241-6398.
