The Hernando County Sheriff's Office Emergency Management Section is again looking for volunteers interested in joining its Community Emergency Response Team.

CERT volunteers receive special training on how to prepare for, respond to, and help the community recover from a disaster situation. The team provides vital services in the absence of emergency responders, whose arrival may be delayed because of the severity of the situation.

The next training class will begin on Saturday, Jan. 3. Classes are from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. every Saturday until January 17, 2015 in the Emergency Operations Center, 18900 Cortez Blvd., Brooksville, Florida  34601.

Previous emergency experience is not required. Training, materials, and equipment are provided for free. CERT applicants must by 18 and members must pass a required background check including fingerprints.

For more information, call 352-754-4083. Applications can be found at www.hernandosheriff.org/em (click on the CERT link).

All applications must be submitted to the Community Relations Specialist, Michael Terry, by Friday, Dec. 19 to allow time for processing.