For the Reporter

The City of Auburn Emergency Management Office has announce the addition of 11 new members to the area’s Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), bringing the total number of graduates in the local program to 524.

The 11 new members graduated from the area’s 29th CERT course that included 24 intensive hours of training over six weeks. The training culminated in a hands-on practical exercise simulating an earthquake.

Graduates of the class included: Bill Bauman, Linda and Ridge Hottle, Tyler Kight, Brownie Kocher, and Don and Kathleen Olson of Auburn, Trevor Carroll and Rebecca Hall of Burien, Rachel McGraw of Covington, and Byron Kidder of Pacific.

The next CERT class is Tuesday, Aug. 20, running for three consecutive all-day sessions from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Space is still available, though pre-registration is required. Information and applications for classes may be found on the City website at www.auburnwa.gov/disaster.

About CERT training

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 and the state of Washington, 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 sponsored by the City of Auburn’s Office of Emergency Management and taught by fire and emergency management professionals from the cities of Auburn, Pacific, and the Valley Regional Fire Authority.