The three-hour Community Emergency Response Team, or CERT Level 1 training session, brought Spanish-speaking residents from across Grand Rapids together for hands-on instruction in emergency response and disaster preparedness.
CERT provides residents with basic skills in personal and home preparedness, fire safety, and disaster medical operations, to help save lives in the critical moments before first responders arrive.
City officials say offering the class in Spanish expands these classes to communities that may experience language or cultural barriers during emergencies.
According to the latest census, Hispanics make up 16% of the city’s population. Between 2010 and 2020, Kent County’s Hispanic population grew by 29%.
Emergency Management Administrator Benjamin Rance, who is fluent in Spanish, stated, “By delivering this course in Spanish, we’re breaking down barriers and building a safer, more resilient Grand Rapids for everyone.”
More CERT training opportunities can be found on the city’s emergency management website.
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