NORWICH – Are you prepared for a disaster? That’s the question that the Southern Tier Chapter of the Red Cross wants families to ask themselves, and if the answer is no, this weekend’s Community Preparedness Day could change that.

In acknowledgment of National Preparedness Month, on Saturday the Red Cross and City of Norwich Mayor Joseph Maiurano will present a free cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) training from 8:30 to 2:30 p.m. at the Norwich Fire Department.

“AED machines are everywhere, but people aren’t trained to use them,” said Cynthia Smith Gordineer, executive director of the Southern Tier Chapter of the Red Cross. Although the machines provides step by step instructions for how to administer the electric shock, Gordineer said people are often afraid to use the machines if they are not familiar with them. “If you learn how to use the AED machine, it is much more valuable to the community. A person has to step up and use these machines to make a difference.”