Following a discussion about the Incident Command System (ICS) on Making Light, I decided to take the independent study course offered on the topic.
Today I received a certificate in the mail from FEMA acknowledging that I have "reaffirmed a dedication to serve in times of crisis". Now I feel all warm and fuzzy. Well, mostly. Kind of. Maybe a little.
Continuing on that topic, on Tuesday I will be taking a class through the school on CPR and AED (automated external defibrillation). I took CPR a few years ago, but I'm overdue for a recert (ditto on First Aid, though that is mostly still with me). Now that all schools have an AED, it's good to know how to use them.
I am not a professional first responder, and I doubt that I ever will be. However, I'd like to be someone who can keep their head in a crisis and handle an emergency until the professionals can arrive. I know the top two basics: 1. Call 911. 2. Don't just go rushing in, because an extra hurt or dead person does no one any good.
Congrats! If I might make a suggestion, getting First Responder Awareness (FRA) training, if available, would be a feather in your cap. It's only an 8-hour course and teaches you to recognize a hazardous materials release, set up an appropriate safety cordon, and notify the proper authorities. Even if you never become a professional responder, given the amount of HAZMAT being transported every day in the US, having a FRA certification wouldn't hurt.