The City of Auburn Emergency Management Office recently announced the addition of 17 new members to the area’s Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), bringing the total number of graduates in the local program to 441.

The latest class belonged to the area’s 24th CERT course, which included 24 intensive hours of training over eight days. The training culminated in a hands-on practical exercise simulating an earthquake.

Graduates of the class were: Amber Mayer, Garret Canfield, Betty Sperline, Thomas Bowser, Jean Morton, Mark Moynihan, Roxanne Moynihan, Ray Petit, Joan Petit, Mike Warden, Robyne Scott and Thomas Kucharski of Auburn, Julie Slyfield of Buckley, Linda Dye, Robbie Dye, Roger Carpentier and Tawnya Carpentier of Algona.

In addition, nine new members graduated from the area’s 23rd CERT course, representing the second year of high school CERT training and drawing on students from Auburn, Auburn Mountainview and Auburn Riverside. Class 23 included 24 intensive hours of training over the course of the school year and culminated in a hands-on practical exercise simulating an earthquake.

Graduates of the class included: Kimberly Anderson, Kyle Baquian, Madeleine Jones and Riley Loeks of Auburn High School; Anna Beers, Victoria Bulson, Felicity Hughes and Brittney McDaniel of Auburn Mountainview; and Thomas Snyder of Auburn Riverside.

The next CERT class is schedule to begin Aug. 21, running for three consecutive days from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Space is available, though pre-registration is required. Information and applications for classes may be found on the City website at www.auburnwa.gov/disaster.