By Lookout Staff

June 7, 2012 -- With an earthquake behind it and a tsunami zone designated along the coast, Santa Monica plans to keep its residents prepared this summer in the event disaster ever strikes.

The Office of Emergency Management will offer an opportunity for residents to receive training in disaster preparedness, fire safety, medical operations, basic search and rescue methods, and disaster psychology and terrorism awareness through Community Emergency Response (CERT) training in August.

“CERT was designed to engage and train community members to assist public officials in a time of need,” said Ken Semko the City’s Emergency Manager.

The program is essentially meant to train “community members how to effectively prepare for and respond to a city wide emergency or disaster,” according to City staff.

What sort of emergencies could Santa Monica face?

Santa Monica's Office of Emergency Management lists the most likely disasters on its web page, along with information on what to do in the event of each such emergency.

Earthquakes, fires, and tsunamis are just a few of the potential scenarios that could befall the beachside city, according to the Office of Emergency Management.

There are even instructions on what to do in the event of a terrorist attack.

“CERT members will play a crucial role in the City’s ability to effectively respond to and recovery from a disaster,” said Semko.

The program, which is free to anyone 18 years and older who lives or works in Santa Monica, is 18 hours long, spread out over three consecutive Saturdays.

Each session -- which will take place at the Santa Monica Fire Department’s training facility -- will be six hours long and will be led by instructors from the Santa Monica Fire Department, Santa Monica Police Department and the Office of Emergency Management.  

This August won't be the only chance residents have to participate in the training. The City plans to have more CERT classes throughout the fall of 2012 and beyond.

“I am confident that our community members will rise to the occasion” said Semko.

Those who are interested in CERT training can register online at www.smgov.net/oem or by calling 310.458.2263.