Disaster Preparedness

Training

While these pages, and related links, contain vast quantities of information on how to prepare for a disaster and what to do during and after one, the best preparation one can make is to train for these events.  Nothing can replace hands-on, face-to-face instruction and practice to develop and ingrain the skills necessary to act decisively and appropriately in the face of crisis.

Disaster Area Response Training (DART)

To that end, training is available from several sources.  One of the best sources is the San Rafael Fire Department's Disaster Area Response Training (DART) program.   It is the only program certified by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in Marin County.

To sign up for a future DART class, call the Fire Department's DART Coordinator at (415) 485-3308.  The cost of the training is $60 and runs one evening each week for 8 weeks (Tuesday or Wednesday) from 7 to 10 pm. The next class will start in September, 2006.

Short Course

Yves Masson is the Chair of the Coalition's Disaster Preparedness Committee, Peacock Gap HOA Disaster Response and Preparedness Chair and a FEMA-certified DART trainer. In addition to the Fire Department's scheduled DARTclasses, he is available to conduct an abbreviated 2-hour training class for Homeowner Associations along the Pt. San Pedro Road corridor.  If your Association would like to schedule a training class with Yves for your members, have your Association's disaster preparedness representative contact him via the form on the Committee page. If you have questions regarding this subject or would like to assist the Coalition in establishing disaster plans for your area, please use that form as well.