Learn how to prepare for an emergency on Feb. 23

The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) will meet Friday, Feb. 23, at 9 a.m. in Clubhouse 3, Room 3, for a safety class on earthquake preparation. CERT’s free monthly safety classes are 45 minutes long and all residents are welcome to join. Coffee and muffins are provided.

Each month, CERT also gives a valuable gift to an attendee. During January’s class, Debbie Campbell won the drawing and got a water bottle.

At the January CERT safety class, President Catherine O’Brien distributed a FEMA “Family Emergency Communication Plan” handout and gave a presentation on the importance of having a good communication plan. O’Brien covered three ways to organize key contact information for people’s families and other important people (including medical facilities, doctors, insurance companies and service providers). Family communication plans are critical so loved ones know how to contact one another in the aftermath of a disaster. People may also want to have a designated meeting place for family members to gather. Making a family communication plan is one way people can feel prepared in the event of an emergency.