The Caroline County Health Department is set to launch its first-ever Citizen Preparedness Training course, a free, 10-week program designed to help residents build practical emergency response skills and confidence.
The course will run every Tuesday from February 17 through April 21, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., at the General James F. Fretterd Community Center (The Armory). Each weekly session will focus on a key area of emergency preparedness, providing participants with hands-on instruction and real-world guidance they can use to protect themselves, their families, and their community.
Topics will include personal awareness and de-escalation techniques, severe weather response and emergency communications, search and rescue basics, psychological first aid, and life-saving skills such as CPR and AED use. Participants will also learn how to properly use fire extinguishers, administer Narcan, and effectively communicate critical information when calling 911 during large-scale emergencies. The program will conclude with deployment readiness training and the issuance of personal emergency “GO-bags” to those who complete all ten sessions.
The curriculum draws from established emergency preparedness frameworks, including FEMA response team guidance and Maryland Responds Road to Readiness training. Local collaboration has been central to the program’s development. Representatives from the Health Department and Caroline County Emergency Services have worked together to ensure the content reflects local needs and resources. Instruction and information are supported by local nurses, paramedics, EMTs, law enforcement professionals, and other emergency preparedness experts, including partners connected with the National Weather Service.
The program is open to adults ages 18 and older. Funding for the course, including supplies and take-home materials, is provided through an MRC–STTRONG grant from the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response, supported by the American Rescue Plan. There is no cost to participate; attendees are simply asked to wear comfortable clothing and bring water and snacks.
This comprehensive training offers residents an opportunity to strengthen their preparedness skills and become more confident in responding to both common and unexpected emergencies.
Sign up today at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/citizen-preparedness-training-tickets-1980196707658