You Too Can Be a Hero!!

Imagine waking to the ground shaking.  Things falling and breaking, entire buildings swaying if not falling.  Cracks opening up in roadways, bridges falling, power lines down, water lines rupturing.  It's a scene out of many disaster movies.

We have all seen scenes like this play out in movies time and time again, In fact there is a new movie coming out in May that will highlight a major disaster in this country and highlight how one hero will be shown to be the saving grace for many.   Hollywood likes to focus on one action hero saving many, but in reality, many true hero's that will likely arise is a situation like this. Everyday people who will come together and work as a team to help each other out until other help arrives!!

I think the majority of people understand that when and if something bad happens where you live, there never will be enough, firefighters, law enforcement officers, utility workers, road crews, nurses, and the list goes on.

It's easy to stick our heads in the sand and pretend something bad wont happen, but the reality is, it could happen anytime.  Understanding the risk, just as in any risk is important in the choices we make.  Personally I prefer being part of the solution, not the problem.

Surviving a major disaster will take everyone coming together and working together to responding as a neighborhood, and community to ensure those who need help the most get it along with getting us back on our feet.

I recently completed CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) Training.  The basic skills I learned from preparedness, to basic first aid, fire suppression and search and rescue techniques can really come in handy, not only when the bad thing happens but in how I look at everyday situations

Our next class is coming up in April.  Do you have what it takes to help be part of the solution and be a true hero when emergencies happen?  For More information on CERT, please see  www.fema.gov/community-emergency-response-teams.

See pictures from the last CERT class on our Flickr Page  

Fire Corps and CERT Training Starts Soon

Two great Citizen Corps programs, Fire Corps and CERT, have training sessions starting very soon in Clark/Vancouver.

We’re very excited to announce that Vancouver Fire Department’s Fire Corps has their inaugural training academy starting February 2. Fire Corps volunteers are critical for non-emergency support functions focusing on education and prevention. Their training will include Smoke Alarm awareness and installation, Home Safety and Small Hazard house training, Fire Extinguisher training and much more. In addition, each volunteer in the program will receive CPR, AED and First Aid training. Click here for information on how to register for their program.

Clark County Fire District 6 is starting their spring session of the highly desired Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training on February 16. This 20+ hour course will follow the national curriculum and help Clark County citizens become more prepared to survive disasters and help their community respond in times of great need. The cost is $30 and you must submit your application with payment before you are on the roster. Click here to see their schedule and registration.

If you need more information regarding other Clark County or City of Vancouver Citizen Corps volunteer programs please email Cindy.Stanley@clark.wa.gov.