15 volunteers complete CERT training in Shoreline

15 people you want on your block in case of emergency
The newest CERT class
Photo by Lorrie Jennings

By Patrick Ducey

The City of Shoreline is planning for a disaster. Nobody wants a disaster, but we all know that disasters happen. We live in earthquake country. Occasionally we get nasty winter storms.  Industrial accidents, transportation accidents, wildfires, terrorism. Disaster can come from many different sources.

What is the difference between an emergency and a disaster? An emergency is an everyday occurrence. An accident happens, you call 911, and emergency personnel show up. A disaster is when something happens so huge that emergency personnel are rapidly overwhelmed by the large number of people needing help. You try to call 911, and you can’t even get a dial tone. Someone needs help. What are you going to do?

CERT members transport a hose manikin to a first aid area
after they recovered it from under a collapsed wall.
Photo by Patrick Ducey

CERT, Community Emergency Response Team, is a national program to help communities plan for a disaster. Shoreline CERT proudly announces that on October 9, 2012, 15 citizen volunteers have completed CERT training, and are now registered emergency workers. CERT training is a free course offered by the City of Shoreline Emergency Management Office. The classes teach fire fighting, emergency first aid, search and rescue, and incident command organization. In the event of a disaster, CERT personnel are trained to help their family and their neighbors recover from the emergency.

If you are interested in taking the CERT course, we would love to have you on our team! For more information contact the City of Shoreline Emergency Management Office. Follow City of Shoreline Emergency Management on Facebook