Twenty-four students recently completed Community Emergency Response Team training at Snohomish County Fire District 1. CERT teaches citizens how to help their neighbors and emergency responders during a major disaster. (Contributed photo)

Twenty-four students recently completed Community Emergency Response Team training at Snohomish County Fire District 1. CERT teaches citizens how to help their neighbors and emergency responders during a major disaster. (Contributed photo)

Applause (Nov. 11, 2016)

New help in times of disaster

Twenty-one local people recently completed Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training in Snohomish County Fire District 1 to learn how they can help their community in a major disaster.

From Edmonds: Shane DeBoer, Bonnie Frunz, Curtis Frunz, Gerre Gustafson, Reid Larson, Barb McGuire, Stacie Murphy, Steven Nelson, Brent Olsen, Alan Park, James Scribner

From Everett: Carrie Baldwin, Jordan Larkin-Sinn, John Lynker, Richard Proctor

From Lynnwood: Rojean Backman, Jennifer Leach

From Mountlake Terrace: Cindy Anderson, Faith Gray, Chris Hayes, Susan Kuhn

The eight-class series covered such topics as basic disaster first aid, search and rescue operations, how to put out small fires and the psychological effect of disasters. Training ended with a hands-on simulated disaster scenario at the Fire District 1 Training Tower near Mariner High School.

Fire District 1’s next CERT training will be offered in the spring. Classes meet twice a week in the evening for four weeks. Training is free; however, students need to create (or purchase) a home disaster kit and purchase personal safety equipment to participate in some class activities.

Learn more at www.firedistrict1.org or contact Kristen Thorstenson at kthorstenson@firedistrict1.org or 425-551-1240.

Volunteers craft rain garden at lake

The Snohomish Conservation District was joined by volunteers from North Cascades Crew rowing club as well as other local residents for a work party at Lake Stevens on Oct. 29. Volunteers planted native trees, shrubs and plants, including a rain garden at Lundeen Park and an additional planting along the shoreline at the downtown boat launch.

Nonprofits ready to GO with surplus vans

Community Transit this year donated 12 retired vanpool vehicles to local nonprofits through its Van GO program. There were 19 applications to the competitive grant program.

This year’s Van GO recipients:

Catholic Community Services (Lynnwood) to transport veterans living at Sebastian Place to social and medical appointments

Community Resource Foundation (Stanwood) for needed transportation for adults and teens with disabilities

Goodwill Industries (Everett) to transport workers from around the county to an Everett jobsite

Housing Hope (Snohomish County) to drive clients from across the county to College of Hope classes

Mountlake Terrace Senior Center, First Baptist Church and Girl Scout Daisy Troop 50529 (Mountlake Terrace), who will share a van for tutoring, community service trips and other needs

Park Ridge Community Church (Bothell) to pick up children for education services

Seattle Area Youth for Christ (Monroe) for its City Life program

Senior Services of Snohomish County (Snohomish County) to help older adults and adults with disabilities get to appointments

Village Community Services (North Snohomish County) to address a shortage of transportation options for adults with significant disabilities

Young Life Capernaum Snohomish County for a program focused on teens and young people with disabilities

More information about the Van GO program is online at www.communitytransit.org/VanGo.

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