WHATCOM COUNTY, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Approximately 12,000 current Whatcom County residents have served our country in the military, some with enlistments going back to World War II. Locally, nearly a third of those who served are disabled.

Nationwide, approximately 6% of all Americans are veterans of military service.

On Nov. 11 – Veterans Day – joining with the rest of the nation, we honor the men and women who served. It is a day to demonstrate that we are grateful to wartime, peacetime, combat and reserve veterans for their willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.

That heart for service and the willingness to sacrifice is the hallmark of many in Whatcom County, even those without military experience.

At the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office Division of Emergency Management (DEM), we depend on people like that in times of crisis. During the major floods nearly a year ago, volunteers with Search and Rescue (SAR), Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), ACS, Support Officers and the Medical Reserve Corps plus from the Volunteer Mobilization Center (VMC) stepped up – and made a difference.

For those new to the community or new to the idea of volunteer service, there are several benefits to becoming involved: you meet others with similar interests; you have the opportunity to train and learn new skills; what you do improves conditions for others.

Every person can make a difference. Some, through joining the military, others by becoming first responders, healthcare workers or teachers. Some of us will make our mark as volunteers.

Here are some of the ways that can happen:

CERT: with 24 hours of training (usually one night per week for eight weeks), CERT trainees are introduced to skills necessary to survive the first few days following a disaster. The training covers disaster preparedness, fire safety and suppression, basic medical triage and treatment, and some search and rescue.

Medical Reserve Corps: their mission is to strengthen public health improve emergency response capabilities, and build community resilience.

Project Lifesaver: this is an electronic technology program to locate missing persons.

SAR: Whatcom County Search and Rescue includes several units, depending on one’s interest or capability, including 4×4, Bellingham Mountain Rescue, Summit to Sound, Dive Rescue, Emergency Communications.

Sheriff’s Office Auxiliary Communication Services (ACS or ham radio): DEM has hosted training courses for aspiring ham radio operators, as well as weekly meetings and field exercises.

If you choose to volunteer, thank you. If you have served, thank you. Your service shapes and improves our community; we honor you.

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.