Prepare for a disaster with Community Emergency Response Team course | Maple Valley Fire and Life Safety

Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) is a disaster preparedness course designed to create awareness, teach critical skills for assessing a disaster situation and ensure participants gain the confidence they need to react productively and responsibly in a disaster. There are no prerequisites.

Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) is a disaster preparedness course designed to create awareness, teach critical skills for assessing a disaster situation and ensure participants gain the confidence they need to react productively and responsibly in a disaster. There are no prerequisites.

The cost is $35 due prior to the start of class. The next class starts Feb. 2. For further information call 425 432-0200.

All classes are 6-9:30 p.m.

  • Week 1
  • Feb. 2 – 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. 10 – 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. 16 – Disaster medical – Part 2

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

  • Week 4
  • Feb. 24 – Triage night

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

  • Week 5
  • March 2 – 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 6
  • March 10 – Light search and rescue

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

  • Week 7
  • March 24 – 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 8
  • March 31 – 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.