Glades County Offering Free Classes - Workshops

Glades Emergency Management Offering CERT, Firewise, And SkyWarn Classes

MOORE HAVEN, FL. --  Training for the Community Emergency Response Team, Firewise Communities, and SkyWarn will be offered at the Muse Community Center and the Lakeport Community Center beginning this month.

On May 23rd, the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program begins, training people to be prepared for emergency situations in their community and neighborhood. CERT members give critical support to first responders in emergencies, provide immediate assistance to victims, collect disaster information to support first responder efforts and provide that first neighborhood help in the immediate hours following a major emergency.

CERT Members receive 24 hours of initial training with an annual refresher course that includes a drill. CERT is provided free of charge.

On June 9th classes will take place for the SkyWarn Weather Spotter program from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Muse Community Center.

The Skywarn spotter program is a nationwide network of volunteers trained by the National Weather Service (NWS) to report significant weather. Anyone is welcome to participate, although it is strongly encouraged that members be 18 years of age or older.

Skywarn volunteers become the NWS's and local Emergency Management's eyes and ears, helping to provide better weather watch and warning services.

The NWS and/or the local emergency management authorities may activate the Skywarn net whenever there is a threat of severe weather or the NWS issues a severe thunderstorm or tornado watch. In this case information may be relayed through amateur radio repeaters.

Skywarn reports are relayed from on the road, while at work, or at your home. It is important not to jeopardize your own safety while participating in Skywarn.

Skywarn and Amateur Radio Operators. HAM radio operators have a special place in the Skywarn program. NWS offices have HAM equipment on site. Skywarn nets run by the volunteer amateur radio net control operators allow for reports to be directly heard at National Weather Service offices.

A Firewise Workshop with a free dinner will take place June 7th from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Lakeport Community Center.