Mercer Island volunteers graduated on Jan. 19 from the city's third Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program in a ceremony at City Hall, according to a news release.
Attendees spent one Saturday a month gaining experience in the following areas; fire safety, search & rescue, disaster medical, basic disaster preparedness, communications, emergency well operations, terrorism response, disaster psychology and damage assessment.
Graduates not only learned preparedness skills but also had the opportunity to meet and work with other Mercer Island residents. Due to high interest, the city announced offering two CERT classes in 2013. The first class will start on Saturday Feb. 9, and another evening course starting in the fall of 2013.
The 2012 Mercer Island CERT Graduates are: Mary Chandler, Julie Gardner, Joe Grojean, Don Hasson, Michele Marquardi, Carol Maslan, Andrea Pirzio-Biroli, Carter Powell, Cheryl Roodman, Madison Roodman, Bruce Spong, and Julie Takasugi.
More information on class dates and times are available by visiting the city's Emergency Preparedness website (click here).
"Congratulations 2012 graduates, you did an outstanding job," said Officer Jennifer Franklin, the city's Emergency Manager and Crime Prevention Officer, who also acknowledged Mercer Island Police Department Officer Mike Seifert for facilitating the Mercer Island CERT Program. "The City of Mercer Island as well as your fellow neighbors thank you for all of your time and effort in preparing and responding to potential disasters. Thank you!"
(Ed. Note: The information above was provided by the Mercer Island Police Department.)
