Oxford County Emergency Management Agency will offer a free course in Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) preparedness on Wednesday, Feb. 4, at Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School. From left are Chet Charette, Fryeburg CERT team chief; George Jones III, Buckfield/Hartford/Sumner team co-chief; Geri Cobb, OHCHS team chief; and Clay Schneider, Buckfield/Hartford/Sumner team co-chief.

Response team training at school

PARIS – Oxford County Emergency Management Agency will offer a free course in Community Emergency Response Team preparedness through Oxford Hills and Buckfield Adult Education beginning on Wednesday, Feb. 4, at Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School.

The nine-week course covers general preparedness, first aid, fire safety, disaster psychology and search and rescue. The training goal is to form a shelter team that will focus on the high school and participate in an exercise later this year.

The agency has formed and exercised two teams in the county. The Fryeburg CERT sheltering team was created two years ago and supports the Molly Ockett Middle School regional shelter. It participated in a sheltering exercise in May 2007.

In October, the Buckfield/Hartford/Sumner CERT sheltering team, in conjunction with the Oxford County Animal Response Team (OXCART), set up an American Red Cross shelter and adjacent pet shelter at Buckfield Junior/Senior High School.

Anyone interested in learning how to be better prepared for emergencies and being part of a volunteer organization that is focused on supporting the local community during a disaster situation should call the EMA office at 743-6336 or the Oxford Hills and Buckfield Adult Ed office at 743-8842.