Listos – Disaster and Emergency Preparedness Spanish-language Class

Menlo Park CERT is holding a Disaster and Emergency Preparedness class and they have invited RWC/SC CERT Members!  Here are the class details:

What:  Listos – Disaster and Emergency Preparedness
Date:   Saturday, November 11, 2023
Time:  8:30 AM to 5:00 PM
Where:  300 Middlefield Road, Menlo Park (Classroom behind Fire Station 1)
Cost:    Free!!

Other:  This class is taught in Spanish.

IMPORTANT:  You must register for this class prior to attending, class size is very limited.  If you register and then you are unable to attend, please send an email to Menlo Park Fire to let them know before the class date. Link to register: https://www.menlofirecert.com/event-5384814

This class is not limited to just CERT members, please feel free to share this training opportunity with family and friends!

Earthquake Risk Presentation- Menlo Park

Earthquake Risk and Preparedness is topic on October 28

2024 Ham License Class

Additional information for the class.

2023 Red Cross Shelter Fundamentals Class

Last weekend was the Red Cross Shelter Fundamentals class, held at Fire Station 28. We had taken this training back in 2010 so I thought it was time for a refresher and learn what may have changed over the years.

Notable nuggets:
> Twenty impacted people is the threshold to open a shelter
> Policy towards pets has changed, if they’re not bothersome then they can stay
> Shelter space requirements range from 40 – 90 sq ft/person
> Three Red Cross shelter trailers in the County, each has supplies for 100 people
> Work assignments are typically 12 hour shifts (0700-1900)
> Clients wear bracelets
> Additional resources available for Medical/Mental/Spiritual needs
> Feeding is thru packaged takeout meals, no more canteen-style serving of food

2023 PG&E Safety Training for CERT

This was an overdue refresher for CERTs regarding the topic of personal safety around utility hazards we might encounter. The training was conducted by Frank Fraone (PG&E Sr Public Safety Specialist and former Menlo Park Firefighter). We all learned valuable tips regarding natural gas and electrical hazards, to keep ourselves and our CERT colleagues safe. We also received copies of the PG&E first responder guide (CERT edition). Great to see the turnout from Redwood City/San Carlos CERT members too.

Some notable tips:
> A doorbell is a potential gas ignition source, knock instead when responding to a home!
> ALWAYS call 811 to locate underground lines on your property prior to any digging
> There is an app for the Emergency Response Guidebook (for decoding hazard placards)
> Treat ALL downed lines as live

2023 Belmont Water Dog Run

The 2023 Belmont Water Dog Run was conducted smoothly this morning without any apparent incidents. Thanks to the five CERTs that showed up before dawn on a Saturday morning to help Belmont PD with traffic control duty along the route. Perfect excuse to try out some new tools, some lighted traffic control batons I got on Amazon. One change this year was the lack of police radios for CERT use, so we relied on cellphone texting if needed.

My post was the intersection of Alameda & Carlmont Dr, the original plan being a hard closure of Carlmont. Wanting to minimize my interaction with upset drivers, I placed a second set of cones farther up the street near a parking lot. This gave drivers an easy place to turn around without coming all the way to Alameda. Shortly afterwards, a change was implemented to allow a right turn on to Alameda. Nonetheless, at least a half-dozen residents decided to provide their opinions of how these actions horrendously impact their lives.