Residents are encouraged to sign up today for the City’s Community Emergency Preparedness Academy that kicks off next month.
The free academy for adults is on Tuesday and Thursdays from 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. July 10 through Aug. 9.
Led by emergency personnel from collaborative agencies, the academy is a 32-hour certified program that follows FEMA guidelines for citizen emergency response teams. Participants learn about law and fire disaster operations; fire safety; light search & rescue; CPR/First Aid/AED certifications; basic crisis intervention; and neighborhood mobilization. The course is complemented by information from Santa Margarita Water District, Southern Cal Edison and Mission Hospital. Students take part in hands-on lessons in extinguishing real fires, removing bodies from heavy debris and treating mock injuries in response to a simulated earthquake.
Along with the adult academy, the City will also host a free summer Emergency Preparedness Academy for teens from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on July 24, 25,26, 31, August 1 and 2. The class will join the adult academy for the final exercise drill at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday August 9.
In a disaster, youth can be of great assistance in our neighborhoods. Modeled after the adult program, the teen program is designed to prepare local youth (ages 14-18) to help in response to emergency situations with knowledge, decisiveness and maturity. This will be the City’s 3rd annual Teen Academy.
To sign up and for more information about the City’s Emergency Preparedness Academy, contact Police Services at 949-470-8433 or e-mail CEPA@cityofmissionviejo.org.
