Prepare for Disaster at Farmington Hills Training Sessions

Learn how to respond in an emergency or disaster during a free series of classes offered March 5-April 9 at the Costick Center in Farmington Hills.

Hosted by the Farmington Hills/Farmington Emergency Preparedness Commission (EPC) on Wednesdays, 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., the sessions are open to adults and children ages 14 and older who are accompanied by an adult.

According to a press release, the Emergency and Disaster Response Training will prepare citizens to rely on each other when first responders who provide fire and medical services are unable to meet immediate needs. Topics will include:

• Disaster Preparedness: Appropriate actions before, during, and after a disaster.
• Light Search and Rescue Operations: Strategies and search techniques, with a focus on rescuer safety.
• Disaster Medical Operations, Part I: Participants practice diagnosing and treating airway obstruction, bleeding, and shock by using simple triage and rapid treatment techniques.
• Disaster Medical Operations, Part II: Evaluating patients by doing a head to toe assessment, establishing a medical treatment area, performing basic first aid, and practicing in a safe and sanitary manner.
• Disaster Fire Suppression: Safe use of fire extinguishers, hazardous materials awareness, fire suppression strategies, and how to safely turn off utilities.
• Disaster Psychology: Symptoms experienced by disaster victims and workers.

Participants who complete all six sessions will receive a backpack containing basic emergency preparedness supplies and equipment. To register, call EPC chair Tim Tutak at 248-417-0930 or write to tutakt@live.com.