Free training begins for emergency response team

A Community Emergency Response Team training course has begun in Moorpark and will continue Thursday evenings through June 19 at the Emergency Operations Center in the Moorpark Police Services Center, 610 Spring Road, Moorpark. There will be a final disaster drill on Sat., June 21.

The program trains people to be better prepared to respond to all types of disasters. When major incidents occur, CERT members give critical support to first responders, provide immediate assistance to victims, and organize volunteers at a disaster site.

Participants learn first aid, triage, fire suppression, use of fire extinguishers, search and rescue planning and techniques, and rescuer safety.

The program is sponsored by the city of Moorpark Emergency Management and the Ventura County Fire Department.

The training is free for anyone 18 years and older who lives, works or attends school in the Moorpark area.

This course is taught by a trained team of first responders from local fire stations: Fire Capt. Bill Breuklander of Station 42 on High Street in Moorpark, and Fire

Capt. Tony O'Hagan of Station 44 on Country Club Drive in Simi Valley, who combined have more than 50 years of emergency response experience.

To enroll, call John Brand at (805) 517-6248 or e-mail jbrand@ci.moorpark.ca.us.

Registration forms are available at Moorpark City Hall, 799 Moorpark Ave. during weekday business hours. Forms may also be downloaded from www.ci.moorpark.ca.us.