The Benton County Sheriff’s Office will host an emergency preparedness and introduction to the CERT program during a special Philomath event to run from 6:30-8 p.m. Monday, Nov. 6, at Peace Lutheran Church. Everyone is welcome and the program is free.
Attendees can learn specifics on becoming a trained member of CERT — an acronym for Community Emergency Response Team. Those who become part of the program develop the skills needed to help family, neighbors and colleagues during a disaster.
CERT volunteers learn about disaster preparedness for hazards that may affect the county. Basic training occurs at an individual’s own pace in an online environment followed by an in-person skills check weekend event.
Topics include:
- Wildfire and disaster preparedness.
- Power outages and weather events.
- CERT organization.
- Disaster medical operations.
- Fire safety.
- Light search and rescue operations.
- Disaster simulation.
For more information, email philomathnetwork@gmail.com or cert@bentoncountyor.gov.