Pajaro residents complete first-ever Spanish FEMA training

PAJARO, Calif. (KION-TV) - Pajaro locals completed their Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training in preparation for future emergencies.

The County of Monterey Department of Emergency Management announced the members had completed their 22-hour FEMA program for the first time in Spanish.

“Despite living in a diverse region, locating an agency capable of delivering this training in Spanish took weeks of research and outreach by County Emergency staff,” says Director of the County of Monterey Department of Emergency Management Kelsey Scanlon.

The 24 residents have previously survived the Pajaro floods in 2023 and will now provide their assistance for Santa Cruz and Monterey counties.

The Santa Cruz Auxiliary CERT will also conduct training with Community Bridges, hosting the event with a $500 stipend.

The CERT training took place over three Sundays in March.