CERT training (act fast)

Received from EOC SNAP mailing list today:

The Seattle Office of Emergency Management is taking applications for the Winter CERT Training Course. 

About CERT

Following a major disaster, emergency services that people have come to rely on will be overwhelmed and unable to meet the increased demand.  The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Training is a series of courses that are intended to prepare people to take action in the immediate aftermath of a disaster.  The training is a combination of skills based classes that will teach participants about Fire Suppression, Utility Control, Light Search and Rescue and Disaster First Aid, in addition to basic tenants of Emergency Preparedness and Emergency Response.

Because CERT training is designed so each class builds on the previous one, it is important that participants be available to attend all of the classes.  The schedule for the Winter CERT class is as follows.

Tuesday, February 26, 2013                       6-9 PM           

Tuesday, March 5, 2013                               6-9 PM

Saturday, March 9, 2013                              9 AM – 1 PM

Saturday, March 16, 2013                            9 AM – 1 PM

Tuesday, March 19, 2013                            6-9 PM

Tuesday, March 26, 2013                            6-9 PM

Tuesday, April 2, 2013                                 5-9 PM

The CERT class is filled on a first come first serve basis.  We will establish a waiting list that will be used ONLY for the winter class.  To register please send your request to SNAP@seattle.gov .  If you have questions please contact Cathy Wenderoth at cathy.wenderoth@seattle.gov or 233-5096.  To learn more about the CERT program you can visit their website at http://www.citizencorps.gov/cert/about.shtm.

First Aid / CPR Training

On Saturday, Jan 26th, 2013 more than 70 folk gathered in the Seattle Gilbert and Sullivan Society's practice space at Crown Hill Center to complete their American Heart Association First Aid and CPR certifications. Everybody passed which means that Ballard, Crown Hill and points in between now have 70 plus more people trained in First Aid and CPR. The training was provided through a Seattle Department of Neighborhoods NMF Small and Simple Fund grant. We worked with the Seattle Office of Emergency Management to get the grant. Training was provided by Prevention MD, and included two short online courses plus 5 hours hands-on practice with a great group of instructors.

Thanks to everybody who participated and gave the time to make our communities safer and more prepared for the next big disaster.

About 2/3 of the roomful of trainees

Finding proper hand position on the chest

Cheryl from Loyal Heights and Martha from Central Ballard Residents Association

Sunset Hill contingent working on 3 person CPR with AED

Dawn demonstrating hand placement for CPR

Proper disposable glove removal

"Dummies" for practicing what to do with choking infants

Tracy Connelly from Seattle Dept of Emergency Management