FARMINGTON — Training for alcohol sellers and servers is being offered by the Healthy Community Coalition, the region’s Healthy Maine Partnership.

The training is planned from 8 a.m. to noon on Monday, Feb. 25, in the North Dining Hall at the University of Maine at Farmington. It is intended for area retailers and their employees who sell liquor for consumption on- and off-premise.

The program will cover how to identify minors and visibly intoxicated people, the metabolism of alcohol from the body, alcoholism, interventions to prevent an intoxicated person from driving, false identification detection and good carding policy, the importance of well-written serving policies, and the Liquor Liability Act.

The instructor is Frank Lyons, a retired law enforcement officer who served at local, county and state levels for more than 30 years. The majority of his career was as a liquor enforcement officer and trainer for the Maine Department of Public Safety.

“Quality training has proven to be an effective tool in preventing costly violations and may even reduce liquor liability insurance for some businesses,” according to Christine Bruen, program coordinator for the Healthy Community Coalition. “Another added bonus is that training instills more confidence in alcohol servers.”

Those who successfully complete the program will be registered with the Maine Department of Public Safety, Bureau of Liquor Licensing, and will receive a certificate good for five years.

The fee for the course is $15 and participants should bring a check payable to Healthy Community Coalition on the morning of the training. A picture ID is required.

For more information or to register, contact Christine Bruen, HCC program associate at 779-2927 or e-mail [email protected].