City Council Recognizes 13th Class of Emergency Response Volunteers

Thirty volunteers from many Kirkland neighborhoods were recognized by the Kirkland City Council Tuesday night after completing a 26-hour course -- including a simulated disaster drill -- to join the city's Certified Emergency Response Team (CERT).

Kirkland Deputy Fire Chief Helen Ahrens-Byington said this 13th graduating class now gives the city 280 CERT members, who are trained to assist police, fire and emergency response professionals in the event of a disaster.

"When it ultimately happens -- and it will happen -- we'll need your help," City Councilmember Bob Sternoff, a CERT grad himself, told the 30 volunteers.

The program teaches citizens how to be prepared and trains them to be able to help others after a disaster. The course is taught by a trained team of first responders and other professionals. Training covers the Incident Command System, disaster preparedness, fire suppression, basic medical assessment and first aid, light search & rescue operations, and disaster psychology.

For more about the program and a list of the graduates, see the attached PDF file.