Beckley, WV (WOAY) – The Beckley Fire Department is opening a free emergency response course to the public this fall, teaching residents how to look after themselves and their neighbors when disaster strikes.
The program, known as CERT, or Community Emergency Response Training, was developed through FEMA. Instruction covers fire safety, basic first aid and disaster preparedness, delivered through a mix of classroom lessons and hands-on training.
Sessions run every Thursday evening from 6 to 9 p.m. over six weeks, beginning Sept. 10 and ending Oct. 15. Classes are held at Station Three in Beckley, with seating capped at roughly 20 people.
Captain Chris Graham said the goal is to build community resilience one person at a time.
“What we do is we train individuals how to take care of themselves in case of a disaster. And then if they feel comfortable with it, they’ll branch out and help the neighbors. It just makes everybody in the community a little bit safer,” Graham said.
Those interested can sign up by calling the Beckley Fire Department at 304-256-1780.
