Emergency services personnel are trained and equipped to handle crisis situations. Following a catastrophic disaster like Hurricane Andrew, citizens may find themselves unable to obtain services for a period of time because of the size of the area, lost communications, or impassable roads.

   In 1996, the City implemented the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) model to improve community self reliance and survival ability through training in the event of a large natural disaster.

   With Hurricane season under way, the next installment of CERT begins sometime after September 26, the end of the present class being held. The classes take place on Wednesday nights from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Fire Rescue Training Bureau, 2000 NE 16th St. CERT classes provide free training by City Fire-Rescue personnel. To register for the next CERT class, call (954) 828-3624.

   "We've had over 500 citizens participate in the CERT series," said Fire-Rescue Lieutenant Eric Pologruto. "Currently, we have approximately 300 active members, all of whom belong to 15 different CERT teams, but it is vital to the safety of our entire community to establish CERT teams in every neighborhood.