Fire departments offer training for disasters

Local residents can learn to protect their families and neighbors during disasters by taking Community Emergency Response Team training in the next few months.

The classes last 20 or more hours and cost $25 to $30.

The Vancouver Fire Department is offering evening classes beginning Thursday. Those interested can call Sheila Stark at 360-901-7288 or Bob Smith at 360-487-7211.

Saturday morning-to-afternoon classes taught by Fire District 6 begin Feb. 26. Call spokeswoman Dawn Johnson at 360-356-6040 or e-mail dawn.johnson@ccfd6.org.

East County Fire & Rescue is offering morning and evening classes that begin April 8 and those interested may call 360-834-4908.

CERT classes, taught by fire officials, cover disaster preparedness, fire suppression, medical operations, psychology, terrorism awareness and light urban search and rescue, and end with a disaster drill, according to a bulletin from Clark Regional Emergency Services Agency, which operates the countywide 911 system.

In a major earthquake, flood or other disaster, regular rescuers might not be able to respond everywhere at once, so folks should have enough food, water, medical supplies and other resources to last at least three days, officials say. The training can help regular citizens and their families survive and rescue trapped or injured victims.