DOWNEY – Lifting a 600-pound slab of concrete isn’t easy, but 63-year-old Annabel Horton can do it, and so can her 36-year-old daughter Michelle Westall.

The women have been members of the Community Emergency Response Team since 2003 and have learned how to perform many emergency functions that would be needed during a post-disaster period.

“I took the classes because I think everybody should be more knowledgeable in case of disasters – especially those in public service,” said Horton, a Downey Adult School Career and Education Center instructor.

Any resident 18 years or older can participate.

Registration has begun for the next CERT classes which will be held three consecutive Saturdays, Sept. 6-20. All training is free and the classes are taught by professional responders.

Participants are registered as disaster service workers and protected under workers compensation guidelines.

The local CERT classes are overseen by Matt Coomes of the Downey Fire Department who became CERT coordinator in May. Coomes would like to see the public become more involved in the CERT program and hopes to gain more members this year.

“I want to do this because I grew up in Downey and my parents are still here. This is a way I can give back to Downey,” Coomes said. “I would hate for there to be a disaster and people are unable to take care of themselves and their own in time of need.”

The CERT program teaches first aid skills, fire extinguisher use, light search and rescue, and how to protect yourself from becoming a victim.

“We teach people how to take care of themselves first, then their neighborhood, and then the city of Downey,” Coomes said.

Highly trained CERT members are also sent to assist other states in times of crisis.

“There’s a real need for people to learn how to take care of themselves,” Coomes said. “If our recent 5.4 earthquake had been worse, consider there are approximately 120,000 people in Downey, not including those who come into the city to work during the day, and there are generally only 25 people on duty (at the Fire Department).”

With the CERT training, people learn how to serve as a crucial resource when disaster strikes. CERT has bins of supplies placed around the city and members are provided a backpack of essential aids, as well as trained in what to do, should they be unable to reach the emergency disaster bins.

Coomes said trainees are required to attend the three Saturday sessions and a class once a month at Fire Station 1. The classes teach a different topic and Coomes would like to see a better turn out from the community.

Downey adopted the CERT program in 2002 and has held 11 sessions. More than 300 people have been trained locally, yet only 20-25 people attend the monthly classes regularly.

If you would like to become a CERT volunteer or receive more information, call Matt Coomes at (562) 904-7349.

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Published: August 15, 2008 - Volume 7 - Issue 17