Emergency training for islanders

Published 12:20 pm Tuesday, January 26, 2016

Our island sits on a fault line that is overdue for an earthquake. In case of a major disaster, King County has already told island residents that they will be on their own, likely for weeks.

We are our own first priority, and we look after each other on Vashon Island. This is why Vashon has such an active Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). Vashon CERT is an all-volunteer organization of regular people who work with the support of Vashon Island Fire and Rescue and the King County Sheriff’s Office.

During an emergency, Vashon CERT volunteers assist professional responders by searching for missing persons and providing basic care during a mass-casualty incident.

The yearly training for CERT is coming on Feb. 26 and CERT is looking for volunteers.

CERT training is a combination of informal class learning and hands-on exercises. Basic CERT training includes safety training for utility problems like gas leaks and downed power lines, personal household preparedness, how to size up and report emergency situations accurately, searching structures and wooded areas for missing people, setting up medical treatment areas and, of course, first aid and wound care.

There is no cost to participate and few supplies needed.

For more information or to register, please contact CERT Manager Jan Milligan, janlmilligan@comcast.net or 206-949-1184.

— Shango Los

Vashon Island CERT Volunteer