Sunnyvale academies train residents in pubic safety, emergency response

"Sunnyvale's Public Safety Citizens Academy saw another graduating class last month. Participants spend one evening a week for six weeks learning about Sunnyvale's public safety model, which integrates police, fire and emergency medical services into one department. Through a combination of lectures, tours and hands-on training, academy sessions covered topics including emergency vehicle operations, fire suppression, defensive tactics and use-of-force scenario training."

"Over eight weeks, participants learned the fundamentals of disaster response, including team organization, first aid, fire safety and search and rescue. The training concluded with a simulated disaster drill, giving graduates the chance to put their new skills into action. CERT is a nationwide program sponsored by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). It was created after the 1985 Mexico City earthquake, where untrained volunteer rescuers faced significant risks. The program's goal is to ensure that community volunteers are trained to respond safely and effectively"

Sunnyvale offers a Public Safety Citizens Academy that meets one evening per week for six weeks to teach the city's integrated model combining police, fire and emergency medical services. Academy sessions use lectures, tours and hands-on training to cover emergency vehicle operations, fire suppression, defensive tactics and use-of-force scenario training. Sunnyvale also completed its 67th CERT class after an eight-week program teaching disaster response fundamentals and concluding with a simulated disaster drill. CERT is FEMA-sponsored, was created after the 1985 Mexico City earthquake, and Sunnyvale has taught it for 20 years while offering additional preparedness classes online.

Read at The Mercury News