Fire department offers community disaster training

The Downey Fire Department will host disaster training sessions starting next week for residents interested joining Downey's volunteer Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). CERT members learn to help their neighborhoods during disasters or catastrophic events such as earthquakes or floods. They also assist during community events such as water-barrel giveaways.

Members are professionally trained in disaster preparedness, fire suppression, medical operations, damage assessment, light search and rescue, team organization and disaster psychology.

Training will take place April 14, 21 and 28 at Calvary Chapel Downey from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

To sign-up, call (562) 904-7345 or e-mail ready@downeyca.org.