You, Too, Can Help With Disaster Relief in Renton

Don't be surprised when a large-scale disaster hits Renton this spring. It's all in the name of preparation.

The annual disaster drill in late May looks and sounds real, but it's actually the final project for a class-full of volunteers who've spend more that 24 hours in Renton's Community Emergency Response Team training, also called CERT.  Training includes topics such as home preparedness, first aid, search and rescue, disaster psychology and terrorism awareness.

“It isn’t just 24 hours of sitting in a classroom,” said Mindi Mattson, Renton's emergency management coordinator, adding that the training and final disaster drill are "hands-on."

“It is a chance to test participant’s skills in a real life experience,” she said. “We’ve had disaster simulation earthquakes, winter storms and bus crashes.”

Nancy Quinn, a 2010 program graduate, especially enjoyed the disaster simulation, and practicing everything she had learned.  

“I didn’t realize how comprehensive the class was going to be, compared to other programs I’ve taken,” Quinn said. “It was very educational.”

Quinn is trying to get her neighbors to participate in the training, that way there are others who know what to do during a disaster.

Although there are 32 firefighters and 12 officers on duty at any given time, a large natural disaster in Renton's community of 9o,927 could quickly overwhelm the city's resources. 

That's where CERT volunteers come into play

“If something happens, there needs to be people who have the same knowledge and support as myself,” Quinn said. “That way we are prepared the best way we can be.”

Mattson said 350 Renton volunteers have completed the program. CERT participants are then matched with other community members in an effort to form a disaster response network in each neighborhood.

John Nanney, who took the program three years ago, said the training is worthwhile and recommends it to others.

“I liked that everyone was motivated and did their best,” Nanney said. “Everybody was trying to be a better resource for their own neighborhoods.”

He also enjoyed the search and rescue portion of the training because he learned basic techniques he didn’t know before. And, if he ever ends up in a situation, he now has the knowledge to help out.

Volunteers for the CERT program are encouraged to apply.  For more information go to the What’s Happening catalog or contact Mindi Mattson at 425-430-7041. The next training will take place April 5 through May 17 on every Tuesday from 6- 9 p.m. The final disaster simulation is on May 21 from 8 a.m.-noon.