Emergency Preparedness
C.E.R.T. Training October 3, 2023 - October 21, 2023
The Tacoma Fire Department and the Gig Harbor Fire Department invite citizens who live or work within the city limits of Tacoma and the Gig Harbor Peninsula to attend our next session of CERT (Community Emergency Response Teams) classes. Aimed at preparing groups of citizens in our community to prepare for and respond to disasters. The classes will follow a model developed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and offered in cities across the United States. In the classes, students will gain hands‐on skills such as fire suppression on small fires, render first aid in a disaster situation, and perform light search and rescue.
The series of six classes will be held on Tuesday and Thursday evenings for three weeks from 6:00PM to 9:00PM will culminate in a practical exercise to be held on a Saturday from 9:00AM to 3:00PM. Instructors will be uniformed front-line workers who are subject matter experts in their field. Classes will be located at Tacoma Fire Training Center (2124 Marshall Ave Tacoma, WA 98421).
Graduation requires your attendance of all classes listed below.
We will accept up to 25 students per jurisdiction (50 total) in each series of classes. It is important that if you enroll, you be available to attend all sessions to receive the CERT certification. There is no prerequisite other than a desire to learn and help others. For more information, contact Prevention Specialist Abe Edmonson at AEdmonson@GigHarborFire.org. An informational flyer can be found by clicking here.
CERT Training Schedule | Tacoma Fire Training Center 2124 Marshall Ave in Tacoma
| Tuesday | 6:00pm - 9:00pm | Thursday | 6:00pm - 9:00pm | Saturday | 9:00am - 3:00pm |
|---|---|---|
|
October 3 , 2023 Disaster Preparedness & CERT Organization |
October 5, 2023 Fire Safety and Utility Controls |
|
|
October 10, 2023 Disaster Medical Operations Part I |
October 12, 2023 Disaster Medical Operations Part II |
|
|
October 17, 2023 Light Search & Rescue Operations |
October 19, 2023 Disaster Psychology & Terrorism and CERT |
October 21, 2023 |
DRILL Simulation & Graduation Ceremony |
Pierce County ALERT
Earthquakes - What to Do?
Earthquakes can bring mild to violent shaking and can occur anytime, anywhere. This guide can help you protect yourself, your family, and your property before, during, and after an earthquake.
Low-Cost, No-Cost Preparedness
- Download or order your free preparedness products to help your family plan and prepare for the next emergency. www.ready.gov/publications
- Drills aren’t just for your toolbox. Practice emergency drills with your family regularly.
- Emergencies can happen anytime, and less than half of American families have a communication plan. Plan ahead: www.ready.gov/kids/make-a-plan
- Make preparing fun for kids! Go on a scavenger hunt around your house for items you already have to add to your disaster supply kit. Follow this list: www.ready.gov/kit and see how many items you can check off!
- Know what disasters and hazards could affect your area, how to get emergency alerts, and where you would go if you and your family need to evacuate. Visit: www.ready.gov/be-informed.
Teach Youth About Preparedness
- Review your family emergency communications plan with kids at your next household meeting.
- Need tips for talking to your kids about natural disasters? Visit www.ready.gov/kids/parents
- Many Americans aren’t familiar with their child’s school evacuation & reunification plans. Are you?
- Kids can become Disaster Masters with this @Readygov preparedness game: www.ready.gov/kids/games
- Get involved in Teen CERT. Find opportunities by learning about Teen CERT online: www.ready.gov/kids/teen-cert
- Your community needs YOU! Find opportunities to help your community here: www.ready.gov/youth-preparedness
Make a Plan
- Prepare To Protect means preparing to protect everyone you love. Start by making a plan before disasters and emergencies strike. www.ready.gov/plan
- Discuss with your household or family how you will communicate if there is an emergency.
- Decide and practice your emergency plan with members of your household.
- Houses, mobile homes, apartments, and high-rise buildings have different evacuation considerations. Make a plan for each: www.ready.gov/plan-for-locations
- Involve your entire family, including your children, in planning for disasters and emergencies so they are prepared, not afraid www.ready.gov/plan
Build a Kit
- Create or update your emergency supplies with this list: www.ready.gov/kit
- Make sure your emergency kit is ready to go in case you need evacuate. Include:
- Enough food and water to last several days.
- Medication, face masks and disinfectant for everyone in your household.
- Pet supplies.
- When building a kit, people with disabilities should consider the items they use daily, as well as life-sustaining items. www.ready.gov/disability
- Have medication for at least three days in your emergency supplies.
- Check the expiration date on your emergency supplies, and replace any old items.
- Get the kids involved in building their own emergency kit: www.ready.gov/kids/build-a-kit
- Kids bored? We can help. Check out our online Ready Kids Build A Kit game: www.ready.gov/kids/games
- Include your child’s favorite stuffed animals, board games, books or music in their emergency kit to comfort them in a disaster.
