Shoreline’s Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)

Shoreline’s Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)
The City of Shoreline and the Shoreline Fire Department jointly offer advanced community education so individuals will be better prepared to help themselves and those around them when a disaster occurs.

Offered once or twice a year, the CERT class is 21 hours of training focused on disaster preparedness for specific hazards that may impact the Shoreline area. It includes training in basic disaster response skills such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization and disaster medical operations. CERT members can then use their training to assist others in their neighborhood or workplace following an event when professional responders are not immediately available to help. Learn more about CERT at http://www.citizencorps.gov/cert/

In addition to the CERT baseline training, those who have completed the class are given the opportunity to become a Registered Emergency Disaster Worker as a member of the Shoreline Community Emergency Response Team. Members are offered additional on-going training and can be called upon to support the City’s efforts during an emergency with activities like shelter operations, sandbagging, distribution of public information and support of the Emergency Operations Center. The team meets periodically to plan for training and events and are organized as a non-profit organization.
The next Shoreline CERT class will be Tuesdays and Thursday, 6:30-9:30 pm, September 22, 24, 29, October 1, 6 and 8. Classes are taught at Shoreline Fire Department Training Center at 17525 Aurora Ave N.

To register of for information, contact Emergency Management Program Assistant, Ready*Corps VISTA Peggy Williams Scott at pscott@shorelinewa.gov or (206) 801-2256.

CANCELLED: Shoreline CERT class begins Tuesday, April 14th 2009

UPDATE: This class has been cancelled due to low enrollment. There will be class held in the fall. For more information, contact Peggy Williams Scott at (206) 801-2256.

CERT, or Community Emergency Response Teams, is a way for neighborhoods, businesses, schools and other organizations to be prepared for a major disaster – and to find ways to cope during the first few days when first responders will be overwhelmed and unable to meet the demand for services.

CERT classes help citizens learn how to rely on each other during emergencies, whether it is a major windstorm, an earthquake or an act of bioterrorism. This, in turn, helps police and firefighters do their jobs when disaster strikes.

The CERT class is held at Fire Department Headquarters, 17525 Aurora Avenue North, and is offered to citizens who live or work in Shoreline. It is taught by current CERT team members and Shoreline firefighters. Class content includes information and hands-on experiences in basic fire suppression, triage and disaster first aid, light search and rescue, psychological effects of disasters, and personal, family and neighborhood preparedness.

After graduating from the class, students will have the option of signing up to volunteer for the City of Shoreline as an Emergency Disaster Worker.

If you would like to register, or have further questions about Shoreline CERT classes, please email shorelinecert@gmail.com. Or call Peggy Williams Scott at the City of Shoreline, 206-801-2256.

Link to more about CERT at Shoreline Fire Dept. website

Photo above from Shoreline Fire Department website