Still time to register for Jan. 22 OFPD CERT emergency training class
Several times each year, the Orland Fire Protection District hosts a free training program to help everyday citizens learn the basics of emergency response to help family, friends or members of the public during emergencies. The effort often gives victims of heart attacks, strokes and other health emergencies just enough time to survive until paramedics and emergency medical technicians can arrive to provide professional care. Those first few minutes can mean the difference of life and death. Now is your opportunity to learn the basics to help someone you know
There is still time for members of the public to participate in the next emergency training program, CERT (Community Emergency Response Team), hosted by the Orland Fire Protection District which starts Monday, Jan. 22.
The CERT training program is held one evening each week from 6:30 pm until 8:30 pm for eight weeks at the OFPD Administration building at 9790 W. 151st Street. Members of the public must be at least 18 years of age or older to participate. Participation is at no cost.
Fire Chief Michael Schofield said CERT gives the public hands-on training to respond to emergencies involving family members, friends, and members of the public.
Lt. Bill Leddin instructs CERT trainees on how to properly use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) to make it possible to respond to a medical emergency where defibrillation is required. Photo courtesy of the Orland Fire Protection District
“We have seen many instances where the fast action of people who have emergency response training can make a difference in saving lives,” Chief Schofield said. “CERT is intended to prepare everyday people to be able to provide emergency assistance to individuals in need in the minutes before professional EMTs can arrive. It’s basic training that everyone should know.”
Instruction provided during the CERT training includes CPR, extinguishing small fires and the proper and effective use of fire extinguishers, helping individuals who may have a wide-range of injuries or trauma including heart attacks and injuries, and effective responses to severe weather crisis including tornadoes.
The CERT class is led by veteran firefighter Lt. William Leddin.
All participants who complete the course and pass the final exam receive a Certificate of Completion presented by the OFPD Board of Trustees.
Initial CERT classes are held at the OFPD Administration Building at 9790 W. 151st Street, but some hands-on training will take place at the OFPD Training Center at 10728 W. 163rd Place. Students should report to the Admin Building on Jan. 22.
For more information on the CERT Program, or to enroll in the CERT Classes, visit the Orland Fire Protection District website at www.OrlandFire.org, or contact Lt. Leddin by email at w.leddin@orlandfire.org or by calling 708-349-0074.
(Correction Update. An earlier version of the story stated the CERT classes would be held at the OFPD training center at 10728 W. 163rd Place. The actual location for the classes is the OFPD Administration building at 9790 W. 151st Street. We regret the error.)
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Ray Hanania
Hanania also writes about Middle East issues for the Arab News, and The Arab Daily News criticizing government policies in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
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