In order to grow community knowledge about emergency response, Walla Walla University’s Center for Humanitarian Engagement (CHE) is sponsoring two in-person training events that will run for several days in mid-February. These courses are offered by Washington state and are meant to improve community knowledge preparedness in case of an emergency or major disaster.

The CERT Train the Trainer program is the first three-day course, and it will run from Sunday, Feb. 18 to Tuesday, Feb. 20, starting at 8 a.m. and ending at 5 p.m. CERT Train the Trainer will provide participants with the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to instruct future Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) trainings that prepare citizens to assist in emergency response activities in their local communities. 

The CERT Program Manager training will be from Wednesday, Feb. 21 to Friday, Feb. 23, starting at 8:30 a.m. and ending at 5 p.m. The CERT Program Manager course prepares participants to establish and sustain an active local CERT program. 

Both of these events are free and will be held in the Havstad Alumni Center at 20 SW Fourth St., College Place.

For more signup and program information, go to WA EMD (learningstream.com). For any further questions or concerns, contact either of the course managers: Celso Rangel at Celso.Rangel@ofm.wa.gov or David Lopez at david.lopez@wallawalla.edu.

Posted Feb. 7, 2024