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	The Los Angeles H.E.A.R.T. Program Stacy Gerlich, Los Angeles City Fire Department The Los Angeles Fire Department has a tremendously successful program known as CERT. (Community Emergency Response Team Training). The program started back in 1987. Originally there were twenty-five citizens trained from a neighborhood watch community. That program was such a success that the training continued to present. We have approximately 27,000 people trained in the City of Los Angeles.
The CERT program is a seven-week program that consists of seven classes Each class is 2 1/2 hours in length that meets one day a week. The Disaster Preparedness Unit is responsible for the training. There are eight instructors who teach the classes on a year round basis, The instructors are divided into two teams, North and South. The classes we taught in all areas of the city. Along with the CERT classes, the Los Angeles Fire Department offers CPR training. The program is known as HART (Heart Attack Rescue Training). This program has been primarily directed at high school students. The goals and objectives are as follows
	GOALS 1. Save lives 2. Improve students' self-esteem 3. Inspire students to seek careers in the Fire Service, Law Enforcement, or medical field
OBJECTIVES 1. Provide high school students with the knowledge and skills necessary in an Emergency to: Call for Help and Help Keep Someone Alive 2. Provide information on how to reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes 3. Promote the Fire and Police Department personnel as good role models 4. Provide Adult CPR training to- Business and Industry, School and Church Organizations, Neighborhood Block Clubs, Apartment and Condominium Associations, If you would like further information, Please contact Firefighter Gerlich at 818-756-9674

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