Reno, NV… Most people know they should prepare themselves for an emergency. They know they should have an emergency kit, a family plan and know some basic emergency medical techniques.

People know all this, but that doesn’t mean they are prepared.

September is National Emergency Preparedness Month and the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) volunteers are using this month to remind the public about the importance of making emergency preparation a year-round activity.

CERT volunteers will provide useful information about emergency planning and public safety at several of September’s special events, including the Great Reno Balloon Race and the National Championship Air Races.

For those looking for an opportunity for some intense emergency preparedness training, CERT is also offering a free emergency preparedness and response academy beginning September 19.

The CERT Academy provides residents with the information they need to help save lives and reduce trauma in the event of an emergency. CERT Academy training includes disaster preparedness, emergency medical techniques, fire safety, search and rescue, disaster psychology, and terrorism awareness education.

The CERT Academy offers a total of 24 hours of training during six sessions over two consecutive weekends. The training is free and trainees are not required to become a Citizen Corps volunteer to participate.

To sign up for the Academy, call (775) 325-6927 or (775) 325-6928, or email drussell@washoecounty.us

About Citizen Corps

Approximately 200 volunteers currently serve in the Citizen Corps administered by the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office. The Corps consists of five teams: the Sheriff’s Mobile Auxiliary Response Team, Citizens Homeland Security Council, Community Emergency Response Team and the Animal Rescue Team.

During 2012, Citizen Corps volunteers donated over 18,000 hours of service to their community, saving the Sheriff’s Office $388,000 in staff time. In 2010, FEMA recognized the achievements of Washoe County’s Citizen Corps by awarding them the National Citizen Corps Achievement Awards- Outstanding Citizen Corps Council Award for a council serving a population under 750,000.

For more information about the Washoe County Citizen Corps, visit http://www.wcsovolunteer.org/.