Community Emergency Response Team program open for registrations

The City of Cape Girardeau is seeking registrations for the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program with its next class to start Thursday, Sept. 5.

According to a City of Cape Girardeau email sent to the Southeast Missourian, the class will allow participants to learn disaster preparedness for potential hazards that impact the city's area and be trained in disaster response skills.

The email stated CERT members can apply their training when assisting community members following an event when professional responders are not immediately available.

According to the email, if a person misses a class, they can make it up in the next series of classes, including a lecture and hands-on training for certification.

If a person is interested or has questions about the team, they can contact Ben Whited at bwhited@cityofcape.org, Jim Watkins at jimwatkinscert@yahoo.com or call the Cape Girardeau Fire Department at (573) 339-6799.

The classes run from 8 a.m. to noon Thursdays from Sept. 5 to Oct. 10 at the Cape Girardeau County Public Health Center.