The City of Auburn Emergency Management Division has announced the addition of eight members to the area’s Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), bringing the total number of graduates in the local program to 720.

The new members graduated from the area’s 43rd CERT course that included 24 intensive hours of training over four weeks. The training culminated in a hands-on practical exercise simulating an earthquake.

Graduates of the class included: Donald Alexander, Ken Canonica, Clifford Harris, John King, Jennifer Knox, Anna McAlpin and Pamela Morgan of Auburn, and Greg Byrge of Tacoma.

The next CERT class runs for six weeks on Thursday nights during April and May, beginning April 6. Space is available, though pre-registration is required. Information and applications for classes may be found on the City website at auburnwa.gov/disaster.

About CERT Training

CERT training is comprised of 24 hours of classroom education and hands-on practice in topics including disaster preparedness, emergency management, fire safety/suppression, disaster medical operations, light search and rescue, disaster communication, disaster psychology, and all-hazards identification and awareness.

Graduates have the opportunity to become registered emergency workers with their respective cities and the state of Washington, allowing them to aid in local and regional disasters. Graduates also have the opportunity to participate in local and regional continuing education activities, including training and field exercises. Courses are sponsored by the City of Auburn’s Office of Emergency Management and taught by fire and emergency management professionals from the cities of Auburn, Pacific, and the Valley Regional Fire Authority.