The Community Emergency Response Team or CERT course is a disaster preparedness program 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.

The next course begins Feb. 2. There are no prerequisites. The class fee is $35 and is due prior to the start of class. For further information please call 425-432-0200.

The Maple Valley Fire & Life Safety has fifteen firefighters on duty each day. If a major disaster occurs multiple requests for service are typically received simultaneously. Calls are screened by trained dispatchers for medical priority. It may be hours or even days before help can reach you.

Disasters usually occur quickly and without warning. There is nothing we can do to prevent disasters, but we can put ourselves in the best position to cope by being as prepared as possible.