By Julian MITCHELL

Whether responding to earthquakes or fires, graduates of the upcoming training with the Crescenta Valley Community Emergency Response Team [CERT] will be ready for just about any crisis.

CERT will be starting a new emergency preparedness training session under the leadership of Paul and Lisa Dutton on Saturday ending the following Saturday, April 6.

“Crescenta Valley will have a 7.8 earthquake next Saturday, precisely at 9 a.m.,” said Paul Dutton playfully.

The sessions are in conjunction with the CV Sheriff’s Station and are free to enroll in. Once certified, individuals are approved to assist during most natural emergency situations.

Participants receive training to help in the event of earthquakes and fires, both of which have the potential to ravage the Crescenta Valley. Those who become certified will have the skills to put out small fires and organize emergency evacuation plans.

“We don’t know when the next disaster will hit,” Paul said. “Why not prepare?” 

Paul, along with his wife Lisa, co-founded the Crescenta Valley CERT program in 2006. Since then they have administered 33 training sessions, certifying over 600 individuals in the Crescenta Valley. During the upcoming training sessions, the Duttons plan to showcase many of the real life disasters that have affected the Crescenta Valley, as well as the surrounding communities, including the aftereffects of the 2009 Station Fire.

“CERT provides another layer of protection during times of catastrophe,” said Deputy Alex Covian of the CV Sheriff’s Station.

Covian also noted that CERT teaches people CPR as well as how to handle many different disaster scenarios, including flooding and mudslides.

The Duttons’ hard work for this program was recognized recently when they were the first dual-recipients of the CV Sheriff’s Station Volunteers of the Year award.

“I felt pretty good about it,” said Lisa said of receiving the award.

Each LASD station in Los Angeles County nominates an individual, and then the County as a whole selects one individual as Volunteer of the Year. The selection process for all of LA County is still underway.

“You need them, you call them and they are there,” Covian said, speaking of the Duttons’ dedication to volunteering.

Covian continued saying that the Duttons’ volunteer hours have been “off the charts.”

The Duttons hope the skills they teach others can be applied not only in the Crescenta Valley, but when facing any disaster situation in the world.

People who wish to expand upon the skills they learn can seek out additional training and earn their CERT Level 2 and Level 3 certifications. Lisa also encourages participants to become sheriff’s station volunteers. Volunteers who have completed their CERT training make themselves eligible to be called out to help in real life disaster situations if the need arises.

“They are rare, thank God,” said Lisa.

Sheriff volunteers also assist the CV Sheriff’s Station during many events throughout the year, such as its annual haunted house or the Fourth of July celebration.

The upcoming CERT training begins with an all-day session on Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., then continues with shorter classes on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. culminating with the final disaster drill on Saturday, April 6 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Location information can be made available to those interested by calling the Duttons at (818) 249-8378 or emailing them at midnightscouts@sbcglobal.net. There are only a few spots left to sign up for this session.

  Julian MITCHELL