Disaster Preparedness Month

September is Disaster Preparedness Month across the nation.  During this month, governmental agencies as well as the public are encouraged review disaster preparedness issues for their own homes, vehicles, offices and schools.  As a general rule, everyone should take measures to ensure self sufficiency for at least 72 hours in the event of a disaster.

The Salem Fire Department's Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) has been participating in Disaster Preparedness Month since the inception of the CERT program in late 2002.  Our theme this year is to Get a Plan - Get a Kit - Get Trained and Get Involved . 

• CERT training class begins on October 7, 2008.  Classes are held Tuesdays from 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm.  This course covers 21 hours of instruction over seven sessions.  CERT trainers will present the FEMA curriculum in a hands-on learning environment.  Students will learn to understand disasters, extinguish small fires, take immediate life-saving measures, safely extricate victims from buildings, build neighborhood teams and enhance their personnel safety.  The free classes are open to adults that live or work in the City of Salem.  To reserve a seat in class, please contact  Roger Stevenson, City of Salem Emergency Manager, at 503-763-3331 or email .