Spring CERT Classes start March 15th!

The next Petaluma CERT Classes are set to begin on Monday, March 15th at Groverman Hall, on the campus of the Petaluma Valley Hospital.  The last class, which will be a course review, exercise of a simulated disaster and graduation for those who complete all classes, will be on Monday, April 12th.

The location of this site for April 12th is being established and we will let you know exactly where this class will be held long before the date arrives.

All CERT Classes will be held on Monday and Thursday evenings from 6:30 to 9:30 pm.

There is a charge of $25 for the classes, which we must impose to cover the emergency supplies and course manual that is provided to you.  However, we will waive this charge for anyone for whom the $25 charge will impose a hardship and the reason you might not attend.  If you are in this category, just let me know at the first class meeting on March 15th.  No one will be turned away from this important training, because of financial hardship.

We have had to institute a new procedure in signing people up for the Petaluma CERT classes.  Because the number of actual attendees must be confirmed to purchase and have on hand adequate supplies, we must ask that if you are committed to attending these classes, that you request a registration form from Bill Paxton at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it and return it right away along with your $25 payment.

The number of people who have indicated they wish to take this upcoming class, has increased dramatically in the last month (couldn't have anything to do with the ongoing disastrous earthquakes, could it?) so we must limit this class to 26 people.   

We will take the first 26 completed applications we receive to determine those who will be able to attend this time.  If you cannot attend these upcoming CERT classes, please reply to this email message letting us know you cannot attend.  If you wish to be put on a list for our next CERT Classes, or wish to have your name removed from this list, please let us know.  We do not know when the next CERT Classes will be, but they will most probably be later this year.

For those who will be attending, we will send out a calendar of dates, locations and pertinent information on the classes, following receipt of your application.
 
If you have any questions, please contact Bill Paxton at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or via phone at (707) 763-4421.

CERN News (Community Emergency Radio Network)

Update: January 18, 2010

If you are seeking additional opportunities to participate in Net Control exercises, consider the following local nets that invite guests:
 

Mondays

•    South.Sonoma County ACS Net – 1915 hours – 146.910 (-) PL 88.5
•    Sonoma County ARES Net – 1930 hours – 147.315 (-) PL 88.5
•    Salvation Army Net - SATERN – 2000 hours – 147.060 PL 100.0

Tuesdays

•    Sonoma County Radio Amateurs – 1900 hours – 147.315 (-) PL 88.5

Wednesdays

•    Sonoma County CERT Newcomers Net - 1930 hours – 147.315 (-) PL 88.5 

NERT News

Next month we hope to check the progress we are making toward creating active teams at the neighborhood level. Use your NERT Scorecard to record your active team members. Start now to spread the word among your neighbors about the next CERT Course (#11). 

In Petaluma, from a traditional landline, dial 9-1-1 (Emergencies Only) or with cell phones and digital phone service (VOIP) dial 707 -762 -2727. Contact your phone carrier for details on whether your phone plan has local or regional emergency access.

Remember, in major event normal communications may be delayed. Have an emergency plan that includes communications. Have someone outside the area (at least 100 miles away) that can be the emergency check in point for your family. As with the 2007 San Jose earthquake, phones were down for a short period of time. It will be easier to call outside the event zone shortly after an emergency. Program your family members' cell phones with your emergency check in contact and practice calling that contact as a family.  

Another way to be cared for in an emergency is to program a phone number in your contact list called "I.C.E." (In Case of Emergency). Some first responders now check cell phone contact lists in situations where the victim is unable to respond. Having an I.C.E. number can help them locate family more efficiently.  

City of Petaluma:

The Fire Department updates the Event Hotline as needed. Call the number below for further updates that may happen in significant weather conditions.

Weather Event Hotline - 707 -781-1283

Emergency Notification Messages page on City of Petaluma's website »

 "This web page is used only in the event of an actual emergency, and only as an additional means of informing our citizens."

During some flood situations, the City supplies sand and sandbags  in two locations:

1. Corner of Hopper and Lakeville Streets (near D Street and across from the Historic Silk Mill building)
   
2. Maria Drive by the Boys and Girls Club behind Luchessi soccer fields.
   

The City of Petaluma also has an event page online:

Flood and Emergency Preparation Information Page 

 There is a link to their emergency notifications messages.

What's Your Readiness Quotient?

In recent years, the American people have been urged to “get ready” and to prepare for emergencies – from natural disasters to terrorist attacks. But no one has ever given the public a simple, comprehensive and consistent tool to actually measure how prepared they are. No one has ever provided individuals, communities, and the nation as a whole with a practical “gauge” to assess their preparedness, recognize their successes and identify gaps where more work needs to be done.

Until now.

The Readiness Quotient – or RQ – is a first of its kind tool for individuals, families and communities to determine and evaluate their readiness. 

See how you stack up against the national average and learn specific steps you can take to better prepare yourself and your family, as well as things you can do to encourage your community, schools and workplace to be better prepared.

Your first important step is to learn your RQ score.  This simple test takes less than one minute to complete. 

> Get started here.

This is from the CERT DVD produced by Jaimey Walking Bear. 

Part 1 – Intro, Fire Safety, first part of Medical Ops

Petaluma Fire Department Presents:
Disaster preparedness community outreach

Click to Download the flyer »  

Mission – To promote public events and training opportunities for local neighborhoods to learn how to organize volunteers into a Neighborhood Emergency Response Team or NERT, capable of helping neighbors cope with survival needs following a disaster.

Goal - To develop an emergency preparedness model that will enable neighborhoods to mobilize local resources in order to be prepared in the event of a disaster; such as an earthquake, flood, or wildfire.

Objective – To create STAR Neighborhoods that are safe, trained, alert and ready to assist family and neighbors during a disaster and prepared to make decisions that result in the most good for the greatest number of people.

To Join —  Please use the NERT Forums link to connect with a local neighborhood project.