When a disaster occurs, professional emergency services personnel will not be able to help everybody immediately. Community Emergency Response Team, or CERT, training is designed to prepare you to help yourself, your family and your neighbors in the event of a disaster. Join more than 300 people in the Issaquah community who have already completed CERT. Registration is now open for the fall session.

The program includes a course with weekly classes from March 23 to April 26, as well as a hands-on disaster simulation drill. A $35 fee covers course materials and a basic emergency backpack kit. Learn the basics of personal preparedness, how to use a fire extinguisher, triage injuries and perform basic trauma first aid. To register, email Brenda Bramwell, emergency management coordinator for the city of Issaquah, at BrendaB@issaquahwa.gov.