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 and the cost is a $35 class fee due prior to the start of class.

For further information call 425 432-0200.

• Week one, 6-9:30 p.m. Feb. 3

Disaster preparedness

The class addresses local hazards and identifies important steps participants and their families should take before, during and after a disaster.

• Week two, 6-9:30 p.m. Feb. 10

Disaster medical – Part one

Participants practice diagnosing and treating airway obstruction, bleeding and shock. The class also teaches the principals of triage and how to conduct triage evaluations.

• Week three, 6-9:30 p.m. Feb. 17

Disaster medical – Part two

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

• Week four, 6-9:30 p.m. Feb. 24

Triage night

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

• Week five, 6-9:30 p.m. March 3

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 six, 6-9:30 p.m. March 10

Light search and rescue

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

• Week seven, 6-9:30 p.m. March 17

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 eight, 6-9:30 p.m. March 24

Course review and disaster simulation

Participants review the answers for a take-home exam. The class will practice the skills learned during a disaster simulation.