Fairfield residents interested in preparing for emergencies and disasters can take part in a free, hands-on Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training program beginning later this month.
The five-week course will be held on Saturdays through March 28, running from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Fairfield Regional Fire School, 205 Richard White Way. The program is open to residents ages 18 and older and requires no prior experience
The training covers a range of topics, including disaster preparedness, CERT team organization, disaster medical operations, disaster psychology, shelter operations, light search and rescue, terrorism awareness and teamwork .
Cindy Vitale, president of Fairfield CERT, said the program is designed to give everyday residents practical skills that can strengthen the community during emergencies.
“Our hope is simple: that Fairfielders will be prepared for the expected and the unexpected,” Vitale said. “We’re not replacing first responders, we’re supporting them by making our community stronger, more resilient, and better prepared”
CERT operates under the leadership of the Fairfield Fire Department and the town’s Emergency Management Team. Organizers said preparedness at the individual and household level can reduce panic and ease the strain on emergency services during disasters .
Federal Emergency Management Agency guidance recommends that households be ready to care for themselves for at least 72 hours following a disaster, with more recent guidance suggesting several days to up to two weeks if possible
From hurricanes and blizzards to power outages, Vitale said emergencies rarely come with warning, making local preparedness and training especially important for Fairfield’s specific geography and needs
