DISASTER TRAINING!!! PITT (9/23/MON) BRENT (9/26/THU)

Posted:  4 Sep 13
Updated:  5 Sep -- to fix typos and non sequiturs

CERT TRAINING TO COMMENCE SOON

(CERT = Community Emergency Response Team)

In Brentwood and Pittsburg

EAST COUNTY NEEDS YOU TO DO THIS!

YOU NEED YOU TO DO THIS!

THE SITUATION YOU CAN EASILY FIX:

1.  FRAGILE LUCK

Well, so far, we've been lucky for another year (knock on wood) -- but the BIG D-DAY (Disaster-Day) is coming, sure as rain.  All the worse because it's going to be a HUGE and UNPLEASANT surprise.  (Pop goes the weasel!)

2.  THE WORSE ALTERNATIVE IS GONNA HURT

Just imagine how helpless, alone, and fearful you're going to feel -- when disaster strikes, crushes, and burns important things -- and you're among those tragic souls who haven't the slightest idea of what and what not to do.

3.  IT'S GONNA HURT A LOT

Imagine how silly you're going to feel if you haven't gathered the basic things you're going to need to sustain your lives and comforts, while riding out the dreadful, inevitable upheaval -- when the hassles were all so predictably terrible and the solution was all so simple.

And, how awful you're going to feel, waiting for busy first-responders to eventually get to you, hopefully in time for it to matter. Especially when you and your fellow residents could have been doing so much good on your own.  Please recognize that there's a serious risk that your wait for the professionals won't be all that brief.  THE WAIT COULD LAST FOR DAYS!

4.  THE BEST ALTERNATIVE IS NO HASSLE AT ALL

And, the solution is so simple and so satisfying.

• Give up a few hours, one night per week, for six weeks and learn all the important and fascinating things the wise, skilled, and caring can tell and show you.   
• Besides, the training is A REALLY GOOD TIME.  Heck, they think of everything -- even great snacks -- even PIZZA might show up!  To me, the whole thing felt more like a party and a very cool adventure than the serious work it is. (Yet, you come away, changed for the better, for a long time)
• On completion, you will be certified as one of the mature civic-minded who showed forethought and took good control, rather than surrendered, meekly and carelessly, to the whims of fate (and you will be issued a lot of useful equipment, too)
• Then, keep building on that knowledge to keep all your D-Day preparations up to date.

5.  WHO'S INVITED?

If you're 16 or older, you can do this.

If you're disabled or otherwise physically limited, there is still plenty of needful "light duty" that needs to be performed, to take all the pressure we can off our first-responders.

6.  HOW MUCH IS IT GOING TO COST?

All FREE of charge, of course (except for a tiny time investment).  What are a mere six very light evenings in the overall scheme of things, after all?  Nothing or everything.  The difference (for many, including yourself) between life, pain and/or death (sudden or gradual), and/or impoverishment  -- between embarrassment and pride -- between success and failure -- when the stakes couldn't be higher.

7.  WHEN AND WHERE AND HOW?

Glad you asked:

• Pittsburg, Monday, 23 September, (6:30 to 9:17 pm) at Delta Hawaii Home Park, 875 Stoneman Ave. (here's the enrollment form)
• Brentwood, Thursday, 26 September (6:30 to 9:30 pm), 9100 Brentwood Blvd (here's the enrollment form)
• In addition to the two enrollment forms, above, you can also enroll by email at:  eastcountycert@aol.com 

8.  FLEXIBILITY?

• You can mix-and-match -- take sessions at both locations (as long as you take all of them)
• Re-enroll if you want a refresher

9.  WHAT DO I DO NEXT?

• Enroll, enroll, enroll (click above)
• Attend, attend, attend
• Learn, learn, learn
• Become and stay ready to save your fellow human beings
• EMPLOYERS:  Encourage your employees to qualify and build CERT teams in-house for the readiness of your own company and the surrounding territory.  I'll bet there's some sort of liability for not seeing to this social duty -- but don't quote me.
• HIGH SCHOOLS (and other places where +16-year olds congregate) -- what a fine activity to fill those crucial teen hours -- for our next generation of leaders.

10.  IF YOU WANT TO LEARN MORE

• Visit, explore, and consider the East County CERT program and website (click here)
• Take a look at the various descriptive bulletins on this blog (in the search box, use keyword: "CERT"
• Ask questions or research through the CERT site
• Talk with friends and neighbors who have undergone this vital experience
• And if you're really a thorough sort, check out the FEMA (national) site on the subject (click here)

EVEN IF YOU DON'T PLAN TO BE AN ACTIVE "CERTEE"

YOU'RE GOING TO WANT TO KNOW WHAT THEY CAN TELL YOU

I WANT TO SURVIVE, HELP OTHERS, 
AND NOT LOSE MY SHIRT WHILE DOING SO.  

DON'T YOU?

David Nelson