DeKalb County Emergency Management Agency is hosting two free Community Emergency Response Team Training Workshops.

The first nine-week workshop begins on July 10 and will be held on Tuesday evenings from 7–9:30 p.m. at DeKalb Fire Rescue Headquarters, 1950 West Exchange Place, Tucker, GA 30084.

A second nine-week CERT workshop for the deaf and hard-of-hearing, with certified American Sign Language interpreters, begins on July 12 and will be held on Thursday evenings from 7–9:30 p.m. at DeKalb Fire Rescue Headquarters.

Participants learn what to do before, during and after a disaster occurs. The workshop will also train citizens to care for family members and neighbors.

Course topics include:

•           Disaster preparedness

•           Basic fire suppression

•           Medical operations

•           Light search and rescue operations

•           Disaster psychology

•           Team organization and terrorism

•           Autism awareness

The workshop is free for DeKalb County citizens and all participants must pass a background check. To register, visit www.dekalbcountyga.gov/dema and click the “Community Emergency Response Team” menu option. For more information, contact Emergency Management Specialist Thomas Paige at [email protected] or 678-406-7858.