Recent major earthquakes in Chile and Haiti are a reminder that disaster preparedness is essential.

The City of San Luis Obispo Fire Department wants to assist you in being prepared for a major disaster by offering the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training. Over 700 graduates have completed the training in the last 10 years.

CERT training is a 19 hour course that teaches you to be better prepared in the event of a major disaster and to form CERT graduates into effective neighborhood teams to assist others.

In the training you will learn how and when to tum off your utilities, fire extinguisher skills, medical skills, hazardous materials and terrorism awareness, light search and rescue techniques and self reliance. The City of San Luis Obispo is committed to include the disabled in all of its services, programs and activities.

Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (805) 781-7410.

Class dates are May 13, 20, 27 and June 3 from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. and Saturday, June 6 from 10 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The CERT class will be held at San Luis Obispo Fire Station #1, 2160 Santa Barbara Ave., San Luis Obispo. The $50 materials fee provides participants with a student manual and a "CERT bag" that includes a helmet, gloves, vest and goggles.

For more information on the CERT training and to register contact Cindy Sutliff, San Luis Obispo Fire Department at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or phone 781-7399. Class size is limited, and registration ends April 30.