Community emergency response training program begins Nov. 26

The Resilient Bellingham Consortium and Western Washington University are offering emergency preparedness training to interested employees this month.

The training is part of the Community Emergency Response Team program, which educates the campus community about disaster preparedness and trains them in basic disaster response skills. Completion of the CERT training allows volunteers to assist in giving critical support to others in the event of a campus disaster. The upcoming course will cover instruction on fire suppression, first aid and triage, personal preparedness, light search and rescue, and disaster psychology, among other topics.

The course includes seven sessions held from 1 to 4 p.m. Mondays and Fridays, Nov. 26 to Dec. 17.

All Western faculty, staff and others associated with the university are eligible for the training. Western employees have been granted time release from their normal duties to attend this training and associated exercises (Employees must obtain their supervisors’ approval prior to participation).

The class is free; all costs for tuition, supplies, manuals, and personal go-kits are waived. For questions or to sign up, contact the Office of Environmental Health and Safety at ehs@wwu.edu or 360-650-3064.

The CERT training program is a result of collaborative efforts of Western, Whatcom Community College, and Bellingham Technical College. In October 2010, a partnership of these three schools called the Resilient Bellingham Consortium was awarded a $512,000, two-year grant from the U.S. Department of Education. As part of this grant, the CERT program trains volunteers to be personally prepared and able to participate with Whatcom County emergency responders in the time of a disaster.