NEMCo is a partnership among the cities of Kenmore and Lake Forest Park, and Shoreline Fire Department to maximize each of the participating agencies emergency preparedness efforts and resources to serve our Northshore community.
Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)
CERT CLASSES :
The CERT Basic curriculum equips community members with the knowledge and skills to prepare themselves, their families, and their neighbors for emergencies, disasters, and other community incidents.
Regardless of age, background, experience, or capabilities, there is a role for everyone in strengthening community resilience. Our NEMCo class, led by trained CERT instructors, covers a wide range of topics including Fire Safety, Basic First Aid, Disaster Medical Operations, Light Search & Rescue, Utility Management, and overall preparedness. Join us, be prepared, and make a meaningful difference in your community.
CERT is for everyone. Lessons are presented in an easy-to-understand, step‑by‑step format, with hands‑on training to build practical skills and confidence. After classroom practice, you and your classmates will participate in a disaster simulation—an opportunity to apply what you’ve learned in a realistic, supportive environment.
Completion of the CERT course is just the beginning. Graduates are encouraged to join NEMCo as Field Operations or community volunteers who support the Northshore community, police, and fire departments throughout the year at events and emergency‑readiness activities. NEMCo also offers additional training in GMRS emergency radio communications, amateur (ham) radio through the RACES branch, Emergency Operations Center management, drone operations, and other specialized emergency skills through our monthly training program.
MEETINGS. Please see our All Volunteer and Field Operations Team meetings page for additional meeting information.
If you are excited about learning CERT skills and participating as a NEMCo volunteer, check out our Membership page!
NEMCo CERT Graduates
CERT CLASSES - Offered.
By using the CERT-certified course graduates, the Field Operations Team is an organization of volunteer emergency workers who have received specific training in basic disaster response skills with the intent of supplementing existing emergency responders in the event of a major emergency, disaster, or utilizing their skills to assist family members and neighbors.
Following a major disaster, local Fire, Police, City, and other first responders may not be able to meet the demand for their services. Residents and visitors to our community may need to rely on each other for help in order to meet their immediate life-sustaining needs.
The NEMCo CERT-training program will educate participants about local hazards, basic disaster preparedness, and provide hands on training that includes fire safety, light search and rescue, and disaster medical operations. After completing the CERT academy, volunteers will have the opportunity to participate in additional drills and exercises to keep their skills sharp and continue to enhance their knowledge and abilities.
NW Region Risks
We offer CERT training because our region is ranked number four in the U.S.A. for being disaster-prone. A disaster is a sudden event, such as an accident or a natural catastrophe, that causes great damage or loss of life. In a disaster, first responders will be overwhelmed and CERT-trained volunteers have the skills to help themselves, their families, neighborhoods, and the community. The Washington Emergency Management Division recommends being Two Weeks Ready.
If you asked people to list the hazards and risks in Western Washington, most would include winter storms, power outages, flooding, forest fires, earthquakes, volcanoes, liquefaction, lahars and now pandemics. The Northshore Council PTSA has a useful website that explains why we should prepare and provides information about types of hazards. NEMCo has a Preparedness page that provides a simple 4-step process for being prepared to handle these hazards.
Teen CERT
In Northshore School District, Woodinville High School (WHS), now offers a one-semester elective CERT course (VEC100) to students grades 9 to 12. In addition to CERT, students will participate in the American Heart Association (AHA) first aid training (certification upon demonstration of knowledge and skills), radio communications, active shooter training, and other emergency response skills. NEMCo is proud to participate in this training and recommends it to all our High school students. Click here for more information
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Disaster Preparedness: Addresses hazards specific to the community. Materials cover actions that participants and their families take before, during, and after a disaster, as well as an overview of CERT and local laws governing volunteers.
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Fire Suppression: Covers fire chemistry, hazardous materials, fire hazards, and fire suppression strategies. However, the thrust of this session is the safe use of fire extinguishers, controlling utilities, and extinguishing a small fire.
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Medical Operations Part I: Participants practice diagnosing and treating airway obstruction, bleeding, and shock by using simple triage and rapid treatment techniques.
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Medical Operations Part II: Covers evaluating patients by doing a head-to-toe assessment, establishing a medical treatment area, and performing basic first aid.
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Light Search and Rescue Operations: Participants learn about search and rescue planning, size-up, search techniques, rescue techniques, and rescuer safety.
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Psychology and Team Organization: Covers signs and symptoms that might be experienced by the disaster victim and workers, and addresses CERT organization and management.
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Course Review and Disaster Simulation: Participants review and practice the skills that they have learned during the previous six sessions in a disaster activity.
CERT Curriculum
The CERT Basic Course is delivered in the community by a team of first responders and other WA State-credentialed volunteers. The organization and timing of training and meeting varies from program to program. It is broken up into three-hour blocks over a series of evenings, weekdays, or weekends.