Bulking up on trash
The Sunnyvale Environmental Services Department’s Solid Waste Division and Specialty Solid Waste and Recycling launched a pilot program for collecting bulky items from multi-family communities. The program began April 1 and will continue through September to help with collection of reusable bulky items and illegal dumping prevention.
Smaller communities can schedule appointments to collect large items on a per-unit basis, while larger communities can receive debris bins. Property owners or managers must schedule appointments on behalf of their tenants. Specialty will collect items one day a week.
For more information, email environmental programs specialist Bailey Hall at bhall@sunnyvale.ca.gov or call 408-730-7262.
CERT graduates
Sunnyvale recently graduated its 63rd Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) academy class. Students spent eight weeks learning the basics of disaster response, team organization, first aid, disaster psychology, fire safety, and search and rescue.
CERT is a nationwide program sponsored by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). It was created in response to the significant loss of life among untrained volunteer rescuers in the aftermath of the 1985 Mexico City earthquake. Its goal is to train volunteer rescuers so they can be safe and effective while helping after a disaster.
Sunnyvale has been teaching CERT for 20 years and has trained over a thousand residents. The Office of Emergency Services also offers shorter classes on individual and home preparedness. See lists of available classes at https://sunnyvaleserv.org/classes. For more information about the CERT and preparedness programs, email Lt. Daniel Moskowitz, Office of Emergency Services coordinator, at dmoskowitz@sunnyvale.ca.gov or call 408-730-7198.