MHPD offers free disaster response training

Following a major disaster, fire, law enforcement and emergency services might not be able to meet the demand for services, according to Morgan Hill’s Emergency Services Office. Individuals and families will need to be self-sufficient for at least three days. 

That’s where training as a volunteer for the Community Emergency Response Team can be helpful, improving your understanding of how to be prepared and respond to a major disaster, according to Morgan Hill Emergency Services Director Jennifer Ponce. 

The FEMA-developed CERT curriculum delivers emergency preparedness skills and trains students in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization and disaster medical operations. 

CERT basic training classes are free to South Santa Clara County residents. High school students are welcome, and will receive community service hours for this training, Ponce said. 

To register for CERT training, go to www.mhcert.com. Courses are on Tuesday evenings, from 7 to 9:30 p.m. in the Morgan Hill Police Department’s Emergency Operations training room. On the last day of training, students will test their skills in a disaster simulation Saturday, Oct. 26. 

For more information about CERT training, contact the Morgan Hill Office of Emergency Services at (408) 776-7310, or

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