Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) is a disaster preparedness course designed to create awareness, teach critical skills for assessing a disaster situation (e.g. earthquakes, etc.), and ensure participants gain the confidence they need to react productively and responsibly in a disaster. There are no pre-requisites; there is a $35.00 class fee due prior to the start of class. For further information call 425-432-0200.

Week 1:

Feb. 1, 2012 (Wednesday 6 p.m.-9:30 p.m.) - Disaster Preparedness

We will address local hazards and identify important steps participants and their families should take before, during and after a disaster.

Week 2:

Feb. 9, 2012 (Thursday 6 p.m.-9:30 p.m.) – Disaster Medical – Part 1

Participants practice diagnosing and treating airway obstruction, bleeding and shock. Learn the principals of triage and how to conduct triage evaluations.

Week 3:

Feb. 15, 2012 (Wednesday 6 p.m.-9:30 p.m.) - Disaster Medical – Part 2

Learn how to evaluate a patient and perform a head-to-toe assessment.

Week 4:

Feb. 23, 2012 (Thursday 6 p.m.-9:30 p.m.) – Triage Night

Participants will practice the principles of triage and basic first aid as learned in previous class.

Week 5:

Feb. 29, 2012 (Wednesday 6 p.m.-9:30 p.m.) – Disaster Psychology

Learn common signs and symptoms experienced by the disaster victim and/or worker. Explore how to organize a CERT team including management principles and the need for clear documentation.

Week 6:

Mar. 8, 2012 (Thursday 6 p.m.-9:30 p.m.) – Light Search and Rescue

Participants learn about search and rescue planning, size-up, search techniques, rescue techniques, and most importantly rescuer safety.

Week 7:

Mar. 14, 2012 (Wednesday 6 p.m.-9:30 p.m.) - Fire Suppression

This class explains fire chemistry, hazardous materials, fire hazards and fire suppression strategies. Learn how to use a fire extinguisher, when to use them and practice extinguishing a real fire.

Week 8:

Mar. 22, 2012 (Thursday 6 p.m.-9:30 p.m.) - Course Review and Disaster Simulation

Participants review their answers to a take-home exam. Finally, participants will have the opportunity to practice the skills they've learned during a disaster simulation.