The Charlottesville / UVA / Albemarle County Office of Emergency Management is offering a free class to teach people how to respond to a major disaster.

The group will offer three free Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training sessions. The first is Tuesday, July 10, at the Albemarle County Office Building.

Level-one training teaches people about regional hazards, personal preparedness, and elements of fire safety and medical operations.

Allison Farole, an Office of Emergency Management employee, said, "Our number one goal is to give them the education and the skills to be able to help themselves, their family, and possibly their neighbors."

The program has trained more than 600 people since 2003.              

Tuesday's training at the Albemarle County Office Building will be held from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.