The Community Emergency Response Team is a nationwide organization that trains citizens about disaster preparedness as well as how to provide initial assistance to their families, neighbors and community during large medical emergencies and disasters (such as hurricanes and tornados).
CERT members are taught to render first aid and auxiliary services until professional emergency responders arrive on the scene. New members must complete a 36-hour course of classroom and hands-on instruction in the areas of: disaster preparedness, fire safety, search & rescue and medical operations (including CPR, AED and the Heimlich maneuver). No special skills are required to join CERT.  As The Villages continues to grow, so does the need for more CERT members throughout our community.
The next Basic Course Class will take place from Feb. 1 to March 11. All classes will be from 9 a.m. to noon Mondays Fridays at the Bacall Recreation Center. To sign up or for more information, call 674-2948 or visit website at certofthevillages.org.