The city of Kenmore and Lake Forest Park, North Shore Fire and North Shore Public Utilities are rebuilding the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program and starting a new Volunteer Reception Center (VRC) program in the Northshore community. Organizers are in need of community volunteers for the two programs.

As an emergency safety volunteer, residents will assist at a variety of community events and during and after natural or manmade disasters. Activities may include: damage assessment, minor fire suppression, sandbag operations, urban search and rescue, disaster first aid, emergency communication if licensed, pet sheltering, points of supply distribution and as a resource to your neighbors. Training is offered by certified trainers who use FEMA approved curriculum.  You could be working side by side with emergency responders at the Emergency Operations Center or in your neighborhood helping people in stress that first responders are unable to get to.

One example is John Clark, who recently returned from a long hot week in Eastern Washington working as a bulk distribution supervisor with the Red Cross. His team was responsible for getting supplies from Chelan all the way to Tonasket and beyond to help feed and care for displaced families and the fire fighters. During many of the trips, the air was smoky and at one point the fire was only three miles away. He didn’t get much rest but the personal reward for helping bring food and emergency supplies to those in need made up for the long hours and lack of sleep. He has been a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) volunteer with The Emergency Services Coordinating Agency for more than ten years and lives here in the community.

For more than two decades the CERT and Ham radio program in North King County and South Snohomish County has been supported by The Emergency Services Coordinating Agency (ESCA). Now that ESCA is dissolving, the community volunteers need a new support agency. This new emergency volunteer program in Northshore is the perfect home for these dedicated volunteers and any new volunteers who would like to give back to their community in such a vital way.

Here are upcoming events of interest:

· Emergency Preparedness Fair (LFP Town Center) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sept. 26

· CERT Training (North Shore Fire – Kenmore) Sept. 24 through Nov. 2

· Volunteer Reception Center Training (North Shore Fire – Kenmore) from 6:30-9 p.m. on Sept. 29

· Emergency Preparedness Workshop (North Shore Fire – Kenmore) from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Oct. 10

· Volunteer Reception Center Simulation (Kenmore City Hall) from 6:30-9 p.m.  on Oct. 15

For more information, email to NorthshoreEMC@gmail.com or call Vickie at ESCA 425-776-3722.