Submitted by San Juan Islands PREPARE.

For the first time, San Juan County residents will have the opportunity to participate in Community Emergency Response Team training without traveling to the mainland. The new nonprofit San Juan Islands PREPARE is sponsoring this milestone educational opportunity.

The three-day course, held at the San Juan County Fairgrounds, will train volunteers in disaster preparedness, basic first aid, fire safety, light search and rescue, and disaster psychology/team organization. Training will culminate in a live disaster simulation on Oct. 5, where CERT trainees will respond to a scenario with volunteer “survivors.”

Graduates will be equipped to support their families and neighborhoods in the crucial hours following a disaster — especially when 911 services are delayed or overwhelmed.

“This program embraces [the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s] whole-community approach, emphasizing that resilience is a shared responsibility,” said Elizabeth Gadbois, president and founder of San Juan Islands PREPARE. “CERT training teaches life skills that people carry with them forever.”

Demand for the training has been so strong that enrollment caps were raised twice, underscoring the community’s commitment to preparedness.

About San Juan Islands PREPARE

San Juan Islands PREPARE is a nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening community resilience through emergency preparedness, training and education. By fostering collaboration and readiness across San Juan County, the organization empowers residents to protect themselves, their families and their communities in times of crisis.