Palos Park Police Invite Residents To Join Emergency Response Team

PALOS PARK, IL — The Palos Park Police Department will be presenting an 7-week Community Emergency Response Team basic course for village residents starting on Wednesday, Sept. 7. The course is FREE and will be held on seven Wednesday evenings from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. with a final exercise and graduation on Saturday, Oct. 29 from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. Get involved with Palos Park Officer Frank Flores and the CERT program this fall, by emailing Flores at fflores@palospark.org.

The CERT Program educates people about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety and extinguishment, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations including basic First Aid. Using the training learned in the classroom and during exercises, CERT members can assist others in their neighborhood or workplace following an event when professional responders are not immediately available to help.

CERT members also are encouraged to support the community by providing assistance with non-emergency events and emergency preparedness related projects. No experience is needed, police will provide residents with the training needed to become a volunteer Palos Park CERT member. The CERT program is applicable to all ages, however, the minimum age to participate in this particular course is 18 years of age.

Those interested in registering for the CERT course should contact Officer Fernando "Frank" Flores, emergency preparedness coordinator,nat fflores@palospark.org. Class size is limited to 20. Registration closes on Aug. 22.