by Alisa Moore on 2014-07-16

A group of administrators, staff of the San Bernardino Community College District (SBCCD), most of whom serve on the San Bernardino Valley College (SBVC) campus, and graduates of the SBVC nursing program have completed the first Community Emergency Response Team training offered by the SBCCD. Among the recipients who completed the 20 hour training are Judy Rodriguez, Adelanto; Pang Khang, Banning; Brian Sylva, Beaumont; Mark Wall, Colton; Vivian Marquez, Highland; Karol Pasillas, Mentone; Debby Gallagher and Jo Castro of Redlands; Andee Alsip, Michelle Crocfer and Jaime O’Connor of San Bernardino; Shalita Tillman, Victorville; and Scott Stark from Yucaipa. The program instructors were Laura Whitehead, Apple Valley; Bonnie Ross and Ed Ross, Wrightwood; Richard Amos, Victorville; Mike Markert-Green, Loma Linda; and Whitney Fields, from Fontana. “The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program, created by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) educates people about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations. Using the training learned in the classroom and during exercises, CERT members can assist others in their neighborhood or workplace following an event when professional responders are not immediately available to help. CERT members also are encouraged to support emergency response agencies by taking a more active role in emergency preparedness projects in their community,” according to the FEMA website. SBCCD Chancellor Bruce Baron noted, “We take our responsibility for safety training very seriously. Studies show that people who complete this training take the right steps to lessen the effects if a disaster happens. Team members can provide critical support until help arrives and can also assist with non-emergency projects that improve the safety of the community. Nationally, more than 1100 communities and other government bodies, including San Bernardino City, San Bernardino County, and Redlands, are offering the training for their personnel. Some offer it to the public.