Residents have until Sept. 7 to apply for the free eight-week emergency preparedness course.

Hamilton County Emergency Management is accepting applications for its fall Community Emergency Response Team Basic Course, which teaches residents how to safely assist their communities during emergencies and disasters.

The eight-week Hamilton County CERT training begins Sept. 16 and meets from 7 to 9:30 p.m. each Wednesday through Nov. 4.

Through classroom instruction, hands-on activities and realistic scenarios, participants will learn practical disaster-response skills, including fire safety, light search and rescue, hazard assessment and basic medical operations. The training is intended to help residents provide immediate assistance and support professional first responders when emergency help is not yet available.

Organizers say the program also helps participants improve their personal preparedness while strengthening resilience in neighborhoods, workplaces and community organizations.

The basic course is free and open to the public. Participants must commit to remaining active in the program after completing the course. Graduates become Hamilton County Emergency Management volunteers and can continue developing their skills through monthly meetings, advanced training, drills, exercises, emergency operations and special-event support.

Hamilton County has more than 120 active CERT volunteers, according to the county. Local teams serve communities including Carmel, Fishers, Noblesville, Sheridan and Westfield.

Applications for the fall course will be accepted through Sept. 7. More information and registration instructions are available on the Hamilton County CERT webpage.