Disasters seem to be a weekly occurrence, if not daily. We hear it over and over – Are you prepared? Are you ready for the BIG ONE? Do you have your 3-7 day supply of food and water? Do you have your GO bag ready; for you, your car, your office, your pet(s), your family? Do you have an escape plan or "Out-of-Town" contacts arranged?

We see the horrible images on TV and/or online. Many people feel it will not happen to them; in their community; in this lifetime; and, if it does, they will just "wing" it!

Your Greater Tehachapi Valley Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), sponsored by the Kern County Fire Department, is in their 16th year of dedicated training and preparation with residents about and for disasters. Whether you are helping yourself, your family, your neighbors or your community in the time after a disastrous event, learn how to assist in saving lives and protecting property using the basic techniques in our Upcoming Spring Training. This free course will "make" and "be" the difference between "panic" and "as calm as one can be" during a catastrophe.

Many Tehachapians will be cut off from services should something happen. It could be days before help arrives; just look at Houston and Puerto Rico. Until First Responders arrive, our motto is "Doing the most good for the most people in the shortest amount of time!"

Join us for three consecutive Saturdays on March 3, 10 and 17. St. Patty's day is a half day, so there is still time to celebrate – your graduation and St. Patty's Day!

Training will take place at St. Malachy's Church in their Recreation Hall, 407 W. East Street (corner of Mill Street and E Street) in Tehachapi from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., except on the last day.

Have you ever touched your fire extinguisher in your kitchen? Do you know how to work it? Do you know how to tell if it has expired? One of our most popular hands-on exercises is learning how to put out a fire. You'll also learn about first aid, disaster psychology, cribbing and the reality of terrorism in our community; in addition to much more. Then we put your skills and training to the test with a simulated disaster.

Join the 1,100 plus CERT graduates by registering for our 35th class at TehachapiCERT.com or email us at GTVCERTrain@gmail.com. You can also call (310) 463-4003 or (661) 821-5205. Our next training will be in the Fall if you can't make this one. Add your name to our interest list at our website and keep up with us on Facebook at TehachapiCERT!