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West Chicago Citizen Corps Recruiting For Free Community Emergency Response Training

West Chicago, Illinois: March 21, 2013 – When disaster strikes, as it did in the western suburbs in the form of a devastating storm on July 1, 2012, knowing what to do can make all the difference in the world. The City of West Chicago would like residents to know that the West Chicago Citizen Corps is offering another Community Emergency Response Training (CERT) course and encourages community-wide participation.

The Citizen Corps has worked hard to educate the public on important actions to take in the event of a natural or manmade disaster through a seven-week training course. The Community Emergency Response Training (CERT) course will meet every Tuesday evening, starting April 2, 2013 from 7:00 - 10:00 p.m. There is no fee for the course. Participants must be at least 18 years old or older, and either live or work in the City of West Chicago or the West Chicago Fire Protection District.

CERT training is designed to provide basic training in disaster preparedness, which increases the ability of citizens to survive until responders or other assistance arrives. Courses include; Weather Safety, Fire and Life Safety, Medical, Light Search and Rescue, CERT Organization, Psychology, and Terrorism.

Fire Chief Robert Hodge said, “Everyone that attends the course learns valuable lessons that may change their life. Learning how to bandage an injury, use a fire extinguisher, or lift a heavy object that has trapped someone, may be very useful when an emergency hits your neighborhood.”

According to FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate, “No matter how much the federal government, the state, or local officials do to prepare, we can't do it alone – individuals and families must do their part to be ready in case of an emergency. The public is the most important member of the nation's emergency management team”

The course will be conducted at the Fire Protection District Headquarters, located at 200 Fremont Street. To enroll, residents should call Sergeant Chris Woodill at (630) 293-2222 or email at CWoodill@westchicago.org.

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