Islands’ Oil Spill Association is offering its final free class of the year to train islanders in assisting in the search and rescue of birds injured in the wake of an oil spill, Saturday, Oct. 19.

Participants of the class, entitled “Search, Capture & Rescue of Oiled Birds,” will learn different strategies in locating and capturing oil-laden birds, as well as stabilization techniques in the field and initial care.

The training session begins at 11:30 a.m. in Friday Harbor, then moves to a beach for practice in the field.

Participants will be notified of class location via email, upon registration; class size is limited. Register online at, iosaoffice@rockisland.com.

For more information visit www.iosaonline.org.

This training is one of two different types of oiled bird classes presented free by IOSA each year. The “Basic Care of Oiled Birds” training, held Oct. 5, will be offered again at some point in 2014. The Oct. 19 class, like the Oct. 5, is designed for both new and experienced oiled bird responders; the state Department of Fish & Wildlife requires a refresher course for yearly re-certification.

A non-profit organization, and the only spill response group in the San Juans, IOSA also offers spill responder training for containment and exclusion, including on-the-water boom deployment drills, several time each year.

Contact IOSA online or at 360-378-5322 to receive a schedule of training courses, circulated twice a year.