SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – Tahoe Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) will be holding free classes this spring to teach disaster response skills to the community. As one of nearly 480 CERT teams in California, the program helps with assistance during disaster scenarios.

Tahoe CERT training includes a 12 hour online CERT hybrid class, which is then followed by 14 hours of hands-on training, taught by various agencies and certified CERT instructors. Upon graduation, a certificate will be awarded.

CERT teams can aid with extinguishing a small fire, light search and rescue, triage and first aid. Tahoe CERT says, “Join the CERT Team in Tahoe and help to make our community stay safe and be better prepared. When residents are trained and prepared through programs like CERT, it helps make the entire community stronger!”

Graduates of the program can attend monthly training and volunteer at community events, and can help educate on preparedness in disaster scenarios.

The program is supported by agencies like Cal Fire, Lake Valley Fire, South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue, South Lake Tahoe Police Dept., El Dorado County Sheriff, California Highway Patrol, Cal Tahoe JPA, Barton Health and others.

Hands-on training takes place on Tuesday, April 28 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.; Thursday, April 30 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.; and Saturday, May 2 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Class sizes are limited. To sign up, you can contact tahoecertinfo@gmail.com.