Crime & Safety

Issaquah and Sammamish CERT Training Coming Up

The Citizen Corps groups in both cities are set to begin spring Community Emergency Response Team classes this month; registration is open now.

If this winter didn't teach us to be prepared for emergencies, I don't know what will. About a quarter million homes spent days without power in freezing temperatures recently, including much of Issaquah and Sammamish. The effects were enough to warrant to many in King County. The community here banded together to take care of each other, but there's always more we can learn or relearn about being prepared for unexpected.

Luckily, both Issaquah and Sammamish have active Citizen Corps volunteer groups that offer Community Emergency Response Training (CERT) courses, and spring training classes are beginning in both cities this month, in time for coming up in April. 

CERTs are formed by members of a neighborhood or workplace, who want to be better prepared for the hazards that threaten their communities.

Find out what's happening in Sammamish-Issaquahwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

According to the Citizen Corps website, CERT programs were developed to help communities take care of themselves in the aftermath of a major disaster when first responders are overwhelmed or unable to respond because of communication or transportation difficulties. As the CERT concept has taken hold across the country, however, CERTs have become much more than originally envisioned. CERTs have proven themselves to be an active and vital part of their communities' preparedness and response capability. 

Training in Sammamish begins March 13, and two classes will be held in tandem in Issaquah beginning March 28 and March 29.

Find out what's happening in Sammamish-Issaquahwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Sammamish CERT

The next CERT class in Sammamish will begin on March 13 and continue until May 1st on Tuesday nights with the final exercise to be held on Saturday, May 5th. Classes will be held at , 1851 228th Ave NE. The cost is $35 and the classes will begin at 6:30 p.m. Classes are 2.5 hours each week for a total of 20 hours. Teachers can apply for 20 clock hours and Students can receive 20 community service hours. Classes missed can be made up for complete credit.

      Mar 13 - Course Overview and Disaster Preparedness       Mar 20 - Incident Command       Mar 27 - Disaster Psychology/Terrorism       Apr 3 - Fire Suppression       Apr 10 - Light Search & Rescue       Ar 17 - Disaster Medical – Triage       Apr 24 - Disaster Medical – Treatment       May 1 - Optional/Make up/Review       May 5 - Final Drill

If you have any questions or would like to pre-register, please contact us by email at CERT@sammamishcitizencorps.org. Space is limited to 20.

For more information visit the National CERT Homepage www.citizencorps.gov/cert.

Issaquah CERT

Issaquah Citizen Corps currently hosts CERT classes twice a year. These classes are partially covered by a grant from the city of Issaquah and thus lowers the cost of these classes to Issaquah residents. Currently the cost to the public for the 8 week CERT class is $35 which goes to the Issaquah Citizen Corps, a registered nonprofit organization. The classes will be held at Issaquah Public Works.

CERT members learn to help themselves and others! It is training that is invaluable and can affect many people's lives including your own.

Through CERT you can receive:

  • Disaster First Aid Training
  • Disaster Preparedness
  • Basic Firefighting
  • Light Search and Rescue
  • Damage Assessment
  • How to Turn Off Utilities
  • The Psychology Behind a Disaster

Please register for the Spring CERT class here -http://www.issaquahcitizencorps.com/cert/cert-class/registration 

Issaquah residents are welcome to register any time and non-resident registration starts on March 19.


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