The Routt County Office of Emergency Management is offering a free Community Emergency Response Team basic training course to help residents prepare for emergencies and assist during disasters, according to a statement released Monday. 

The three-part course will be held 5-8 p.m. on Oct. 27, Nov. 3 and Nov. 17 at the Routt County Emergency Operations Center, 2025 Shield Drive, in Steamboat Springs. 

The training introduces residents to disaster preparedness planning, shelter operations, basic first aid, team organization and damage assessment. Participants will learn hands-on skills through classroom instruction and a final disaster simulation.

CERT volunteers may be called on to help with shelter management, evacuation center operations, community outreach and post-disaster damage assessments.

“Equipping our residents with these fundamental skills is a vital step toward building a more resilient community,” said Routt County Emergency Operations Director Mo DeMorat in the statement. “CERT members have been instrumental in assisting with evacuation center operations following the Crosho and Muddy Slide fires in Routt County. We’re hoping to grow our CERT team, so when disaster strikes, we’ll be ready.”

The course is open to all full- and part-time Routt County residents 18 and older. No prior experience is required.

Participants must register in advance as space is limited. To register, call 970-870-5549 or email CERT@co.Routt.co.us.