Community Emergency Response Team classes starting
Murphy Fire Rescue offers online/in-person format
MURPHY (February 2, 2023) Registration is now being accepted for the upcoming Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) classes which start immediately. Unlike previous classes, this 8-week session is designed in a self-paced, online format combined with two in-person sessions, according to Murphy Fire Marshal Perry Elliott.
Applicants may register online until Monday, March 13 by visiting http://www.murphytx.org/289/CERT-APPLICATION or the Murphy Fire Department page at www.murphytx.org.
The self-paced classes begin after two in-person information sessions where applicants may get more information and ask questions of CERT officials. These are set for Sunday, Feb. 5 from 3 to 4:40 p.m. and repeated on Wednesday. Feb. 8 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Both will be held in the Murphy Fire Rescue Training Room, 206 North Murphy Road.
To successfully complete the course and receive certification, participants must complete the online classes and attend two in-person sessions, where they can ask questions, and have the opportunity to practice and demonstrate the required hands-on skills. Instructors will use these sessions to gauge participants’ progress. Successful completion of the online classes and the two in-person sessions qualifies participants to submit to a final skills demonstration. Successfully completing the final will result in certification.
The first of the two in-person sessions, covering material introduced in the first three weeks of online classes, are either Saturday, Feb. 25 or Wednesday, March 1. Times of the sessions are yet to be set.
The second of the two in-person sessions, covering material acquired in the fourth through seventh weeks, are Saturday, March 25 or Wednesday, March 29. Times of these sessions are yet to be set.
Two opportunities for completing the final skills demonstration for certification are set for Saturday, April 22 and Saturday, April 29. Times are yet to be set. Upon receiving certification, participants may choose to become part of the active volunteer Murphy Community Emergency Response Team.
Applicants must be at least 18 years of age, residents of Murphy and, to be part of the active team following certification, must pass a background check.
The public is encouraged to take advantage of this unique learning opportunity whether to serve the community as part of Murphy CERT or to gain the skills and knowledge necessary during emergencies. The combined online/in-person format is specifically designed to accommodate busy schedules.
More information can be obtained by attending one of the information sessions, or by visiting the Fire Department page at www.myurphytx.org, by calling (972) 468-4300, or sending an e-mail to cert@murphytx.org.