'Victims' Needed for Kirkland Disaster Drill Nov. 18

Kirkland members of the national Community Emergency Response Training program (CERT) are seeking volunteer “victims” for a disaster simulation drill on Sunday, Nov. 18 at the Peter Kirk Community Center.

Volunteers are needed to serve as pretend disaster victims so a current class of CERT trainees can practice newly learned skills in search and rescue, medical operations and triage. Professional makeup artists will simulate realistic injuries on the volunteers, who will be asked to act as victims. The drill is from 1-8 p.m., and snacks and pizza -- and gratitude -- will be provided.

The training is important to allow the teams to be prepared for the event a real emergency. Although the program is done in cooperation with the City of Kirkland, the course was developed by the Federal Emergency Management Administration and is conducted locally by the Kirkland Citizens Corps.

Young people from 14 to 18 may participate with parental permission. To sign up, contact Jeannette Stansell at jstansel@kirklandwa.gov. If you'd like to help with the drill in others ways (set-up, procuring food items, etc.), please contact Debra Peterson at dpeterson@kirklandwa.gov, or 206-669-2499.