Essential supplemental classes for all active team members

     Series of trainings necessary for members training to be CERT CP Leaders

Quick tours of two fire stations:  Dockton 58 and North 59.  Get familiar with physical plant so you can be comfortable working at that station if assigned there.  Generator training and practice will be at North after a tour there.  Tour starts at Dockton fire station; meet there at 0900.  After about 45 minutes, we'll caravan to North station #59.
 

Intro to FRS Radio and Communications in CERT
Learn what FRS is, how little "walkie-talkies" work, protocols for on-air conversations, and how we use FRS in CERT.  You'll also get a glimpse at the big picture of CERT radio and phone communications in our missions, and why Ham radio is a better standard for communication from CERT to a central communications point on the island.  Instructors are Ham gurus John Galus and Micahel Meyer.
 

Vashon Island Maps and Addressing System
Learn to read and use island road and neighborhood maps, how Vashon's address system works, and CERT protocols for giving directions (what VIFR uses).  Lots of table-top practice finding addresses and routes.  Instructor is Assistant Chief Bob Larsen.
 

The exact nature of the exercise is planned but not announced so that the Explorers will have the element of surprise.  Disaster will commence after 1900.             

Mass Casualty Incident - field exercise
VIFR Lt Rick Brown will run a second exercise with the Fire Explorers in which CERT can again observe and/or serve as safeties.  Briefing for CERT at 0830 near main dining hall (Rounds Hall) at Camp Sealth.

The exact nature of this exercise is entirely different from Saturday evening; again not announced so that the Explorers have the element of surprise. 
           

CERT Command Posts at VIFR Facilities:  our responsibilities at a VIFR station, how to protect the equipment there, what CERT roles and functions could be at a CP, equipment available to us, and dealing with the array of people, issues and opportunities that could present themselves at a fire station in a disaster situation.

Island Assessment:  review of the new 2017 routes and critical locations, and practice driving 1-2 routes with a buddy to assess damage and other conditions.  Practice reporting conditions via radio.  This training is the same on both dates, but you can practice different routes if you attend both.  All CERT members should learn this system.  If you did not participate in Cascadia Rising as a CERT volunteer, nor attend the January 2017 update on the system, you should take this class.  Island-wide assessment is a foundation of CERT's role in a disaster that causes widespread damage.
 

Major disaster response exercise - scenario will be kept a mystery.  CERT members will receive an activation call at 0730 that will indicate what has happened, what we are needed for, and where you should report.  Be ready for something, but you'll have an hour to finish gathering what you need and make your way to the location we will specify.
 

Medical skills:  care of patients with emergencies related to various illnesses:  cardio-vascular, diabetes, respiratory, seizures, strokes, severe allergic reactions, etc.

TIP FOR YOU:  Post this number at home & cell phone:  The Poison Center  1-800-222-1222  (formerly called Poison Control)  Provides free advice in poisoning emergencies and information on poisoning prevention.  24/7/365...a nationwide network of poison centers, all with the same phone number.

Land navigation:  CANCELLED

Search Exercise - postponed until we know SAR dates
 

Vashon's Emergent Volunteer Center:  introduction to how the new volunteer center will work.  Learn how spontaneous (emergent) volunteers will be received, screened and referred or matched with jobs in a disaster situation.  As a starting model, this new Volunteer Center will likely be staffed by a few CERT members in a major disaster (staffing could change in the future as functions for the V.C. are refined and changed, and as we can recruit new volunteers to help out.)

 Year-End Session:
* Document and evaluate your personal training experience, skills, certifications and future needs
* Help shape training plans for 2018
* Celebration of our CERT year and recognition of volunteers, new "green shirts" and others

Hike to learn more Maury Island trails
The park lands on Maury are extensive.  Our hope is that after the two Maury hikes in 2017, many more CERT members will have some familiarity with the terrain, trails and access points.