The Maple Valley Fire and Life Safety will host a community emergency response team (CERT) class starting September.

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 class fee due prior to the start of class. Please visit www.maplevalleyfire.org to register and pay on-line.

Week 1:

Sept. 5 Wednesday 6-9:30 p.m. – Disaster PreparednessWe will address local hazards and identify important steps participants and their families should take before, during and after a disaster.

Week 2:

Thursday, Sept. 13 6-9:30 p.m. – Disaster Medical – Part 1Participants practice diagnosing and treating airway obstruction, bleeding and shock.  Learn the principals of triage and how to conduct triage evaluations.

Week 3:

Wednesday, Sept. 19 6-9:30 p.m. – Disaster Medical – Part 2Learn how to evaluate a patient and perform a head-to-toe assessment.

Week 4:

Thursday, Sept. 27 6-9:30 p.m. – Triage NightParticipants will practice the principles of triage and basic first aid as learned in previous class.

Week 5:

Wednesday, October 3 6-9:30 p.m. – Disaster PsychologyLearn 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:

Thursday, Oct. 11 6-9:30 p.m. – Light Search and RescueParticipants learn about search and rescue planning, size-up, search techniques, rescue techniques, and most importantly rescuer safety.

Week 7:

Wednesday, Oct. 17 6-9:30 p.m. – Fire SuppressionThis 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:

Thursday, Oct. 25 6-9:30 p.m. – Course Review and Disaster SimulationParticipants 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.