The St. Joseph Health Department offers classes each month to teach skills needed for any medical emergencies that may happen outside of the hospital.

Connie Werner is the Clinic Nurse Supervisor for the City of St. Joseph Health Department. Werner said CPR and First Aid classes are important because for many emergency situations that happen during everyday life, there may not always be a medical professional around to help.

“So having as many general people out in the population that know the basics of CPR and AED can go a long way toward improving the life quality of those that might have a medical emergency,” Werner said.

The Health Department offers CPR/AED and First Aid classes the third Wednesday of every month and Werner said even if someone has no experience, the classes will teach the basics.

“You can come into the class not knowing anything and we are going to give you the foundations to know the basics of CPR and use of an AED as well as the basics of what you can do in medical and injury and environmental emergencies, not having healthcare professional knowledge,” Werner said. “So when you come into the class, it doesn’t matter if this is a renewal, or if this is the first time you’ve ever done it at all, you will leave with the basic skills necessary to at least feel more comfortable with those concepts.”

The next classes will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 20. Both class sessions are open to the public and will be held in the 2nd floor conference room at the City of St. Joseph Health Department at 904 south 10th Street. The CPR/AED class will be held from 8 a.m. to noon and First Aid from 1 to 5 p.m. One or both classes may be taken. The cost for both is $55. Pre-registration is required. Contact Connier Werner for more information or to pre-register at (816) 271-4725.