Hawaii County is ranked No. 1 in the nation for potential hazards — earthquake, tsunami, flood, fire, hurricane, etc. The question isn’t if a disaster will strike, but when will a disaster strike and will you be prepared? Will you be ready to care for yourself and your family?

Maybe you’ve already assembled an emergency kit. Now learn the skills you need to help yourself, your family, and your neighbors respond to an emergency by attending the Community Emergency Response Team Training course (CERT).

The three-day CERT course is free and will be held on April 16, 23, 30 at Waikoloa Elementary School from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.

Residents, businesses, and community groups are eligible to participate in this course presented by the Hawai`i County Civil Defense and Fire Department. To register, or for more information please contact Bill Hanson of the Hawaii County Civil Defense Agency at 935-0031. http://www.citizencorps.gov/cert/about.shtm