Surprise is encouraging community members to take advantage of a free course being hosted at City Hall this April called “When Disaster Strikes: Prepare, Act, Survive.”

This two-day Federal Emergency Management Agency class will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursday, April 20 and Friday, April 21 inside the Community Room in Surprise City Hall, 16000 N. Civic Center Plaza.

Both sessions will have an hour break for lunch.

This course is designed to prepare residents who may be directly impacted by a disaster to help themselves, their families and other community members. Participants will learn how to develop a family preparedness plan, practice self-rescue, perform search and light rescue techniques and understand the recovery process.

This training does not qualify participants to serve in an emergency responder role but will help to make the community more resilient overall.

Self-registration is required through the state’s online registration system at dematraining.az.gov. Participants may need to create an account prior to enrollment, and are encouraged to enroll no later than 14 days prior to the start of the course.

For assistance, contact the DEMA Training Branch at 602-464-6225 or training@azdema.gov.