Starting on February 6, the Northshore Fire Department is offering Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training, a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) course, to its citizens.
CERT is an all-disaster preparedness course. Students learn how to suppress a fire, apply disaster medical aid, conduct searches and execute safe rescues. Their efforts can help to bring order out of mayhem, and may prove invaluable in saving lives and property.
“In a disaster of major proportions, the Northshore Fire Department personnel will rely on CERT-trained individuals to apply the knowledge and training they’ve received in the CERT Academy to safely help themselves, their families, neighbors and fellow citizens,” says Terri Jones, Fire Prevention Specialist.
“We need committed individuals whose actions in the moments following a disaster can make a difference. The reality is that in a disaster, emergency service resources will be overwhelmed, so people are asked to be self-sufficient for a minimum of 72 hours.”
A large part of the training consists of hands-on exercises, and Jones is often asked whether a person’s physical limitations would prohibit their participation. “Anyone who wants to take the training is welcome,” says Jones.
Community Emergency Response Team training encompasses a variety of skills that are needed at a disaster scene. Not every person will be competent at all the skills. “That’s why it is a team-based training,” says Jones.
The course’s main focus is on rescuer safety. For instance, if a person has a back problem, he or she wouldn’t physically participate in the removal of a victim in a rescue operation, but this person may be part of the search team that initially finds the victim, or the person may attend to the immediate medical care of that victim once safely removed
“We find the citizen’s excitement and desire to participate in these classes extremely rewarding.”
This training is free to anyone who lives or works in Lake Forest Park and in the Northshore Fire District. Minimum age to attend is 17. The eight-week course is held on Thursday evenings from 6 to 9 p.m.
If you would like to sign up for this CERT Academy or want additional information, please contact Jones at 425-486-2784 or terrij@northshorefire.com.
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