SMOKEY POINT This spring, Arlington and Marysville residents alike will have chances to prepare themselves and their neighborhoods for some worst-case scenarios.
The Arlington Fire Department and Marysville Fire District are conducting a seven-week course for Community Emergency Response Teams from March 21 through May 2, at Marysville Fire District Station 62.
Chris Badger, the city of Arlingtons community emergency management coordinator, explained that each class would last three hours, some of which would be mostly lecture-based, other of which would focus more on hands-on training.
Our last night is a simulated earthquake, in which students have to put what theyve learned about treating injuries into practice, Badger said. We also give them a taste of fire support, which is everyones favorite, because they get to hold the nozzle and extinguish a live fire.
Badger believes the CERT courses offer a positive and realistic approach to emergency and disaster situations, in which citizens initially will be on their own.
In the wake of a devastating community-wide event, each neighborhood should be able to take care of itself for the first 72 hours, Badger said. By being self-sufficient, you can alleviate the burden on first-responders, as they do things like evacuate hospitals.
Badger emphasized that the course doesnt require any homework, but students must be able to attend all classes and furnish themselves with $25-$45 of safety equipment.
Every student will need a hardhat, goggles, a safety vest, a pair of leather gloves, a whistle, a dust mask and a pair of hard-soled shoes, Badger said. Some of this is stuff that they probably have already. Youll also need to cover the cost of putting together your own three-day home disaster kit.
For those unable to commit to all seven classes of the CERT course, Badger noted that the Hadley Hall community room of the Arlington Boys and Girls Club would be hosting programs on Washington State Preparedness Month, which is in April.
Were holding two programs, Badger said. You attend either April 19, from 10 a.m. to noon, or April 24, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Either session will give you insights on the states natural and manmade disasters, and how you and your family can take steps to alleviate their impact on you.
Badger advocated the development of partnerships within the community, as well as between the community and the city, in order to ensure everyones safety.
In times of trouble, weve got to take care of each other, Badger said. We have to be better neighbors to each other.
CERT Courses:
The Arlington Fire Department and Marysville Fire Districts weekly course for Community Emergency Response Teams course takes place March 21, April 4, 11, 18 and 25, and May 2, at Marysville Fire District Station 62. Each class lasts three hours, and the course will require each student to spend $25-$45 on equipment. The registration deadline is March 14.
To register, you may contact Chris Badger in Arlington, at 360-403-3618 or cbadger@ci.arlington.wa.us, or Stephanie Price in Marysville, at 360-363-8507 or sprice@ci.marysville.wa.us.
Washington State
Preparedness Month:
Programs on Washington State Preparedness Month take place April 19, from 10 a.m. to noon, and April 24, from 6:30-8:30 p.m., in the Hadley Hall community room of the Arlington Boys and Girls Club, at 18513 59th Ave NE in Arlington. Please pre-register to ensure enough handouts.
To register, you may contact Chris Badger, at 360-403-3618 or cbadger@ci.arlington.wa.us.