PLANNING FOR EMERGENCIES.

Byline: Carol Rock Staff Writer

VALENCIA - To help people prepare for emerging threats and potential disaster before they happen, the American Red Cross and the city of Santa Clarita are offering programs to educate and involve the public.

As part of the Together We Prepare L.A. campaign, the Greater Los Angeles Chapter of the Red Cross is offering a one-hour class tonight at the Santa Clarita Valley service center. The next class is scheduled for April 8.

The city will start a new series of Community Emergency Response Training classes in April and the Santa Clarita Educated Communities United in Response to Emergencies program offers free neighborhood awareness training on a continuing basis.

Preparedness is the key to surviving any kind of emergency, from earthquake or fire to a terrorist attack, said Donna Nuzzi, emergency services coordinator for the city of Santa Clarita.

Nuzzi said that a terrorism aspect has been added to the CERT training as just another aspect of preparedness.

``If you look at it that way, it's not so alarming,'' she said. ``For people who haven't stepped it up because of earthquakes, this prompts them to be a little more responsive.

``It's not a new game. The city's philosophy is to educate, re-educate and keep educating with a voice of reason and calm.''

The Red Cross course will teach participants how to make an emergency plan, what to assemble in a disaster kit, how to protect yourself inside your home or office and how to control bleeding and treat burns.

The classes will be offered monthly, said Diane Hill of the local Red Cross office. Classes are also being offered in Van Nuys and Burbank as well as locations in West Los Angeles, Torrance and downtown Los Angeles.

The Red Cross course fee is $5 per person. Participants can find out times and locations by registering at [phone].

Red Cross officials say they want every individual, family, business and school to be ready with plans on what to do and where to go in the event of disaster. The course will help people identify disaster scenarios and practice evacuation techniques and set up notification systems with out-of-area friends or relatives.

The Red Cross suggests that people start with a large backpack, duffel bag or plastic bin and fill it with three days worth of water and nonperishable food items, a flashlight, radio, extra batteries and special items such as medications, diapers, infant formula and pet supplies.

Nuzzi said the city's CERT program is always filled and participants come out able to help emergency personnel like police and firefighters bring some order to a scene that may be chaotic.

``As a CERT responder, they are not professionals. They are trained in triage, light search and rescue, but mostly they are trained to keep people a safe distance away from a hazardous situation, establish a perimeter and notify the authorities.''

The next CERT class, on April 23, will be held in the activities center at the city's sports complex. Class size is restricted to 30 participants and cost of the class is $30 per person. Classes are three hours long and held for six consecutive weeks. To register for CERT training or request a SECURE presentation, call 296-4093.