HomeMy WebLinkAbout090115_Ready_In_Renton
website: rentonwa.gov
City of Renton - 1055 South Grady Way
Renton, WA 98057
September 2, 2015
For more information contact:
Deborah Needham, Emergency Management Director, 425-430-7000
Preeti Shridhar, Deputy Public Affairs Administrator, 425-430-6569
Ready In Renton Month Features Earthquake Focus and
Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Training
RENTON: September is National Preparedness Month, sponsored by the Federal Emergency
Management Agency (FEMA), and Ready in Renton Month, sponsored by the City of Renton. The
Ready in Renton campaign emphasizes basic emergency preparedness: make a plan, build a kit, help
each other. When everyone does what they can to prepare, the risk of injury and loss is reduced, and
demand on emergency responders is decreased.
As part of Ready in Renton, the city is actively recruiting volunteers to be part of the city’s Community
Emergency Response Team (CERT) program. CERT is a nationwide all-hazards disaster preparedness
program created by the FEMA. CERT volunteers are trained to take on leadership roles in their
neighborhoods following a disaster. CERT classes begin at 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, September 22 and
continue each Tuesday evening through November 3. Participants receive 24 hours of training in fire
suppression, search and rescue, first aid, disaster psycholo gy and team organization, and participate in
a disaster simulation on Saturday, November 7. CERT-trained individuals are able to work as part of a
team in their neighborhood in order to meet the needs of residents after a disaster. Classes are taught
by fire and police department personnel and local experts. The cost is $25 for Renton residents and
$30 for non-residents. For more information about CERT and how to register, visit rentonwa.gov/CERT
or call 425-430-7041.
The scenario most likely to result in an activation of the city’s CERT members is an earthquake.
Because of our geographic location, the Puget Sound region is vulnerable to significant earthquake and
volcanic activity. This year, Ready in Renton is planning a special focus on earthquake preparedness.
Prepare by taking the following steps:
1) Go to makeitthrough.org/earthquake to get detailed information about earthquakes and
general emergency preparedness.
2) Plan to participate in the Great Washington Shake Out earthquake drill on October 15, at
10:15 a.m. Drop, Cover, and Hold is the correct protective action to take in an earthquake.
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3) Keep an emergency kit in your home and car with water, nonperishable food, emergency
contact information, cash, prescription medications, flashlight, a battery operated radio, and
extra batteries.
4) Make sure your home has been updated to meet current seismic codes, including bolting
your house to its foundation and strapping the hot water heater in place.
5) Talk to your loved ones about how you will communicate if phones aren’t working.
6) Sign up for Renton RedAlert, the mass notification system that can alert residents with
urgent information from the city. Register at rentonwa.gov/rentonredalert
For more information visit rentonwa.gov or call 425 -430-7000.
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