As natural disasters and emergencies become increasingly common, the city of Issaquah is offering residents an opportunity to be better prepared. According to a recent notice posted by the city, free Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training sessions are scheduled to begin this spring. Interested individuals can now register for the courses that aim to equip them with essential skills for responding to emergencies when professional help is not immediately available.
The CERT training encompasses a variety of critical topics including emergency preparedness, disaster psychology, and medical procedures useful in crises. The curriculum is delivered through lectures, instructional videos, and hands-on exercises, designed to empower community members to effectively manage unexpected incidents. In a statement obtained by the city’s official news release, the courses are described to include “emergency preparedness, incident management organization, disaster psychology, medical triage and treatment, fire safety, light search and rescue, and terrorism.”
Due to high demand, two separate sessions have been announced. Starting February 23, the Sunday course will run for eight weeks, while the Tuesday/Thursday course will begin on March 18 and span four weeks. Both courses will wrap up with a final disaster simulation scheduled for April 12, giving participants a chance to put their new skills to the test. These sessions will be held at Issaquah Highlands Blakely Hall and the Issaquah Public Works Building, respectively…