WHATCOM COUNTY, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – In June, we commemorated three young lives lost a quarter century ago in the 1999 pipeline explosion.

That same year, Whatcom County’s Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program began and recently celebrated its 25th year of service, training community members to provide immediate aid and support during a disaster.

The two have more in common than a shared anniversary. Students in the first CERT class actually responded to the explosion. CERT founder Diane Middleton McMahan remembers it well.

“They became one of the most valuable resources in our response to that heartbreaking disaster,” said McMahan. “Those first CERT volunteers covered phones, checked in workers, updated information. For the three weeks of activation following the explosion, they logged countless hours, ultimately bringing the CERT program credibility and respect from community leaders and other responders.”

Courtesy of Amy Cloud

Over the past quarter century, more than 2000 students have graduated from 123 CERT Basic Training classes taught in 45 venues throughout Whatcom County – from Point Roberts to Sudden Valley and Blaine to Western Washington University (WWU).

CERT students are trained in disaster preparedness, hazard mitigation, fire suppression, light search and rescue, basic injury assessment and treatment, and the psychology of a disaster among other essential skills.

CERT volunteers have served in public events ranging from flooding, snowstorms and the Nisqually earthquake to a train derailment and health crises such as H1N1 and COVID-19. Their response on June 10, 1999, set the stage for what CERT could do.

Courtesy of Amy Cloud

“They worked to help calm the chaos during a dire situation that could impact our loved ones, our community [and] our own lives,” said McMahan.

McMahan says that day the new CERT program demonstrated its skilled and reliable volunteers could be trusted to support emergency operations during disasters.

In a message to volunteers at their 25th anniversary celebration, McMahan reiterated that message: “Thank you for continuing the work we started 25 years ago, and for showing the power of trained and skilled community members working together to improve the lives of others. So honored to be part of your legacy, keep up the great work.”

CERT training is now underway on Lummi Island and will start soon at WWU. To learn more or to register for an upcoming course, visit whatcomcounty.us/CERT or email CERT@co.whatcom.wa.us.

 

September is National Preparedness Month, with a focus on additional ways to survive and recover from a crisis when help is delayed. During Preparedness Month, you might also:

Amy Cloud is the Public Information Officer (PIO) for the Sheriff’s Office Division of Emergency Management.  She was born and raised locally, leaving for Whitman College and work in Seattle, Knoxville and Washington, D.C. She returned to work as Supervising News Producer and reporter for KVOS-TV’s NewsView before switching to communications for WWU, PeaceHealth and the City of Bellingham. She also co-chairs the Community PIO Group and is a member of the Governor’s Committee on Disability Issues.  (WC 77)