Teenagers in Peachtree City will get a chance to learn more about how emergencies are handled in a special class offered by the Peachtree City Police Department.

The Teen Community Emergency Response Team course will teach basic disaster response skills including fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization and disaster medical operations. At the end of the course, participants will take part in a mock emergency to test their knowledge.

Police Capt. Stan Pye said the idea for the course came after representatives of The Bridge community center offered to host an event for the police department. Pye said part of the goal is to help older children who often are charged with looking after their siblings after school until their parents get home.

The class is limited to 16 participants and the parents or legal guardians must participate with them in a meeting prior to the class beginning. The course will be held Sundays beginning March 22 from 1-4 p.m., with no classes on Apr. 12 for Easter or May 10 for Mother’s Day.

Applicants must be between 14 and 17 years old at the time of registration and a Georgia resident. The application and waivers must be signed by a legal guardian.

A local background check will be conducted as a pre-condition to acceptance in the program.

Applications are available online, or may be obtained from the library, city hall, police department and various other locations throughout the City.

More information about the TEEN CERT can be obtained by visiting the police department’s web site at www.ptcpolice.org (click on the CERT link) or by calling 770-487-8866.

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