HAYWARD, Calif. -- Hayward Fire Department is providing a free Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Training Program which will consist of four evening indoor classes and one outdoor “hands-on” skills class. Participants learn skills that will enable them to provide emergency assistance to their families and immediate neighbors and organize a neighborhood team response. Training will begin in April 2013 at Hayward City Hall, 777 B Street, Hayward.

Participants must attend all classes to receive certification. CERT training is for all City of Hayward and Fairview residents, aged 18 years or older. Residential verification will be required during the final application process.

Residents, who are interested in this free training, can sign-up by clicking on the green “CERT” button on the City of Hayward’s Disaster Preparedness page at http://bit.ly/Pzu6VI. Near the bottom of the next page, follow the yellow “Please Click Here” link. Residents will then need to provide only their name, phone number and address in the email. They will receive an email acknowledging their enrollment in the program and further directions.

For residents without Internet access or more information, contact: Hayward Fire Department’s Public Education Officer at (510) 583-4948.

CERT TRAINING:

Class 1, Monday, April 8, 6-9:30 p.m., Hayward City Hall
Class 2, Monday, April 15, 6-9:30 p.m., Hayward City Hall
Class 3, Monday, April 22, 6-9:30 p.m., Hayward City Hall
Class 4, Monday, April 29, 6-9:30 p.m., Hayward City Hall
Skills 5, Monday, May 6, 6-9:30 p.m., Fire Station #6, W. Winton Ave.