The City of Cedar Park is offering emergency response classes for community members on Tuesday evenings starting June 11. The city's emergency management department hopes to recruit and train a community emergency response team, or CERT, that would be asked to support emergency personnel in an emergency or disaster.

The seven-week class from 6–9 p.m. covers topics such as disaster preparedness, fire suppression, basic disaster medical operations, search and rescue, disaster psychology, team organization and terrorism awareness.

Michael Clanton, Cedar Park Emergency Management coordinator, who also serves as the coordinator for the CERT program, said the skills learned can help save and sustain lives until professional first responders arrive.

"The CERT program teaches citizens how to help themselves, their families and their neighbors in a widespread emergency where first responders may be overwhelmed," Clanton said in a statement. "CERT emphasizes the importance of personal emergency preparedness and how to have a plan, make a kit [and] stay informed."

Classes are held at the Cedar Park City Hall campus, 450 Cypress Creek Road, Cedar Park, through July 30 and conclude with a simulated disaster in which participants practice skills learned during the course. CERT members will learn how to:

Describe the types of hazards most likely to affect the home and community

Take steps to prepare for a disaster

Identify and reduce potential fire hazards in the home or workplace

Conduct triage under simulated disaster conditions

Perform head-to-toe patient assessment

Employ basic treatments for various wounds and apply splints to suspected fractures and sprains

Describe ways to protect rescuers during light search and rescue operations

More than 100 people have completed the program since its introduction in Cedar Park in 2005, according to the city. CERT members may also assist with nonemergency projects that help improve the safety of their community.

The course is open to anyone but is generally made up of school administrators, public agency workers, church members, homeowners association members, government employees, business and industry leaders, community groups and concerned citizens. For more information, contact Clanton at [email protected] or 512-401-5038.