The Maui Civil Defense Agency will sponsor disaster preparedness training classes through September in Wailuku.

Community Emergency Response Team classes train individuals to respond to disasters such as fires, search-and-rescue missions and medical operations.

County officials said CERT volunteers can help their communities during disasters when professional responders are not immediately available to help.

CERT training consists of classroom instruction and field exercises over several days taught by Maui Fire Department instructors.

Participants must be 18 and older, but 14- to 17-year-olds may attend with a parent or legal guardian. Registration is required, and individuals are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.

Class size is limited. Classes will be at the Maui Civil Defense Agency, 200 S. High St., Wailuku, on:

>> Tuesday, 5:30- 8:30 p.m.

>> Aug. 16, 5:30- 8 p.m.

>> Aug. 23, 5:30- 8:30 p.m.

>> Aug. 30, 5:30- 8:30 p.m.

>> Sept. 6, 5:30- 8:30 p.m.

>> Sept. 13, 5:30- 9 p.m.

>> Sept. 20, 5:30- 8 p.m.

>> Sept. 24, 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

All attendees are required to complete the course.

To register, contact Maui Civil Defense at 270-7285 or email cert@mauicounty.gov.

For more information about CERT, go to mauicounty.gov/cert.