MEDIA RELEASE

The county Civil Defense Agency and Fire Department have scheduled a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Training in Kapaau for four consecutive Saturdays starting Feb. 16 and ending March 9.

This is an in-depth emergency response training course that is fully funded by FEMA and the Department of Homeland Security and presented by the Fire Department.

This course is provided as a means of empowering individuals and communities alike to learn and know how to properly respond in an emergency or disaster.

Especially as Hawaii is more than 2,500 miles from the nearest landfall, 11 of the world’s 13 climate zones are all found here on Hawaii Island, Hilo being the rainiest town in the U.S., and out of the 3,140 counties in the U.S., Hawaii County has the highest potential for different types of disasters or hazards, this training would be of great benefit business persons, residents and community organizations.

What other county in the U.S. could possibly experience lava flow, be under a winter weather watch (blizzard conditions), high wind watch, in a draught, under a flooding advisory, experience an earthquake, be under a tsunami warning, have a wildfire, and be experiencing high surf and all at the same time?

The point is, Hawaii Island is a great, but we need to be prepared.

WHAT: Community Emergency Response Training

WHERE: The former Bank of Hawaii building in Kapaau

WHEN: 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 16, Feb. 23, March 2, and March 9

HOW: Professional Instruction provided by Hawaii County Fire Department certified personnel

WHY: To empower Hawaii County residents, business persons, and communities on how best to response in an actual emergency or disaster.

To register for the free training, call 935-0031. Seating is limited so call early and reserve your seat today.

— FInd out more:
www.citizencorps.gov/cert