PORT ANGELES — Residents can register now for free training in preparing for disasters that is set to begin later this month.

The Clallam County Sheriff’s Office is offering Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training, a free 20-hour program, over three Saturdays, including instruction in fire suppression, disaster preparedness, terrorism awareness, disaster medical operations (triage), light search-and-rescue, team formation and disaster psychology.

Registration is needed for the Saturday classes set for Jan. 26, Feb. 2 and Feb. 9 in the Carlsborg area.

Registrants must complete all three days to graduate.

Following a major disaster, police, fire and medical professionals may not be able to fully meet the demand, and people will have to rely on each other to meet immediate life-saving and life-sustaining needs, particularly in isolated neighborhoods that may be cut off from the main roads for a period of time, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

The CERT program was developed by federal emergency management experts to provide basic training in safety and life-saving skills for the general public.

Trainers include a nurse practitioner, a retired federal administrator, a fire captain and a retired federal agent who also served as a deputy police chief.

To register for the training and for further information, phone Jamye Wisecup at 360-417-2525.