West Hill Community Emergency Readiness Training
Overview
West Hill Community Emergency Readiness Training is a new program from Skyway Fire that helps residents prepare for real emergencies that affect our neighborhoods. The series focuses on practical skills, clear information, and the hazards we actually face in the Pacific Northwest. Sessions are held once a month at the Skyway Fire training center and are open to people who live, work, or spend time in the West Hill communities.
This program replaces the traditional FEMA CERT model with training that is built locally for West Hill. It offers the same spirit of community preparedness, but focuses on household and neighborhood readiness.
How the program works
The training is offered as a series of ninety minute evening classes, one Tuesday a month. Each
session is a standalone class. There is no requirement to attend every session or complete the
entire series. Residents can come to the topics that interest them, return for refreshers, or join
later in the year and still benefit.
Classes are designed to be:
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Practical and hands on when possible
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Focused on local hazards and everyday emergencies
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Easy to understand, even with no prior experience
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Welcoming to adults of all backgrounds and experience levels
The program is continuous. Topics will repeat in future years, and new modules may be added as
community needs and interests change.
People who have asked for CERT to return will recognize many of the same ideas, such as personal
preparedness, basic medical care, and support for neighbors. The difference is that this program
focuses on what residents can realistically do in their homes, apartments, and on their blocks.
Who should attend
This program is designed for:
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Adults who live or work in West Hill
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Renters and homeowners, including people in apartments and multifamily buildings
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Community members who want to be better prepared to support their households and neighbors
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People with no previous training, as well as those who have taken CERT or other classes in the
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past
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Youth are welcome when accompanied by a parent or guardian.
What you will learn
Across the year, sessions cover topics such as:
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Preparedness basics for homes and apartments
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Disaster first aid and how to help when responders are delayed
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How to manage water, gas, and utilities safely after an emergency
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How neighbors can check on each other and support those who need extra help
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CPR and bleeding control skills
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How evacuation and shelter in place decisions are made
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How firefighters operate on the fireground and what to expect during a response
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How to select and safely use fire extinguishers
Each session focuses on simple, realistic actions that residents can take before, during, and after
emergencies.
When and where
Training sessions are held on one Tuesday evening per month from 6:00 to 7:30 PM at the Skyway Fire
training center. The program avoids August and November to account for the Skyway Health and Safety
Fair and the holiday season.
A detailed schedule with specific dates and class descriptions is available on the Schedule
and the Class Descriptions page.
How to sign up
To sign up, use the registration link listed with each session on the Schedule and Class Descriptions page. You are welcome to register for one class or several, and you do not need to attend the entire series to participate. Registering in advance helps Skyway Fire plan for class size and materials, but many sessions will also allow drop-ins as space allows.
Class Descriptions and Schedule