The City of Auburn Emergency Management Office, in conjunction the Valley Regional Fire Authority and the White River Valley Citizen Corps Council, will offer a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training course to area residents.

The course is scheduled for Jan. 13 – Feb. 21. Classes are held from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. each Tuesday, plus two Saturday morning sessions. The Auburn CERT program has graduated more than 130 members to date.

Training is free to anyone that lives, works or volunteers in the city limits of Auburn, Algona or Pacific and is $25 for out of area participants. Class members will be required to provide some basic equipment, such as sturdy shoes or boots and work gloves. Other necessary supplies and equipment will be provided. A complete list of required equipment will be provided upon registration.

Pre-registration is required for all courses and space is limited. For more information, or to register for class, please call 253-876-1925 or e-mail emergencyprep@auburnwa.gov. Applications are also available on the City’s website at www.auburnwa.gov/disaster.

About the program

CERT training is comprised of 24-hours of classroom education and hands-on practice in topics including disaster preparedness, emergency management, fire safety / suppression, disaster medical operations, light search and rescue, disaster communication, disaster psychology, and all-hazards identification and awareness.

Graduates have the opportunity to become registered emergency workers with their respective cities, allowing them to aid in local and regional disasters. Graduates also have the opportunity to participate in local and regional continuing education activities, including training and field exercises.

Courses are taught by fire department and emergency management professionals from the cities of Auburn and Pacific, as well as the Valley Regional Fire Authority.

Visit the Parks, Arts & Recreation Office at 910 Ninth Street SE to register or call 253-931-3043.