Questions? Please contact:
Jodi Blackwood
Program Manager
Embedded Files
July Training Meetings
Advanced Training Meeting
Tabletop Exercise: Emergency Sheltering
Tues, July 14, 2026 6:30 to 8:30 pm
CRESA EOC 710 W. 13th St. Vancouver
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Intermediate Training Meeting
Tabletop Exercise: Emergency Sheltering
Tues July 21, 2026 6:30 to 8:30 pm
CRESA EOC 710 W. 13th St. Vancouver
CRESA 710 W. 13th St., Vancouver, WA
West on Mill Plain Blvd. from I-5
Left onto Franklin St.
Right onto 13th St.
Turn right into the first driveway, a Jury Overflow Lot. CRESA is the beige building to the left.
Parking is available upfront, opposite the building entrance; additional parking is also available straight back and to the left, in the large parking lot. Park in any non-reserved space.
Do not ring the buzzer at the front entrance;
please use the side door.
CERT Train-the-Trainer
Interested in helping strengthen CERT training in our community? Apply for the CERT Train-the-Trainer training class to build the skills and resources needed to effectively train future CERT members.
Participants are required to observe training for each CERT unit according to the Fall CERT class schedule. You may attend either the Wednesday class in Vancouver or the Thursday class in Ridgefield each week, and you will also need to attend both Saturday sessions.
In addition, a one-hour virtual debrief will be held on Monday evenings (time TBD) to discuss the previous week’s training. The Train-the-Trainer program will conclude with a one-day session in November, during which participants will demonstrate their instructional skills by teaching a portion of a CERT unit.
The CERT Train-the-Trainer program requires a minimum of 23 hours of instruction to become certified as a trainer. We recognize that this represents a significant commitment of your time, and we sincerely appreciate your interest in becoming a CERT instructor. This investment helps ensure we have a knowledgeable, confident, and well-prepared group of instructors who can continue to grow the CERT program in Clark County and strengthen our community’s preparedness and resilience.
Volunteer Help Needed with Community Outreach Events
9/17 10:00 am to 1:00 pm HP Emergency Preparedness & Safety Fair (Vancouver)
This is a Hewlett-Packard sponsored event for their employees.
Host a table to hand out information, answer questions about preparedness, encourage people to sign up for Clark Public Alerts, give-out free items.
Lunch and beverages are provided (so come hungry!)
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9/26 Camas-Washougal Fire Dept. Safety Fair (Camas)
This is a very busy event that involves more handing out items than talking. You must be able to recognize when is the time to try and talk to people and when is the time to hand them a give-away and let them move on; aisles can get crowded and you want to avoid a back-up. Kids have a "passport" game, so everyone is looking to get a stamp -- can you sticker a paper, hand out information, and talk with someone, all at the same time? Then this event may be for you!
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Training information is available here, including information on
CRESA EOC Operations
Info on Community Outreach materials and responsibilities
Emergency Shelters
Evacuation Assembly Areas
PODS
Traffic Control
We talk to a lot of people who have prepared their households to some degree, putting aside food, water, and assorted supplies. But when asked if they are prepared to evacuate their home, we see too many blank looks. Preparedness means being ready for anything.
2025-2026 Requirements for ACTIVE Volunteer Status
Is Your Emergency Worker Card Expiring Soon? A month prior to your expiration date, you will receive an automatic email with instructions for renewal. Cards are renewed only during the month they expire, so if you let Jodi know early she will make note and follow up at the appropriate time.
Remember, to maintain your status as an Active volunteer, you must attend 8 out of 12 monthly skills refresher meetings and participate in one volunteer activity, i.e. a public education event, staffing the call center, stuffing backpacks for CERT classes, etc. I realize that life can interfere, so if you are interested in being involved but not able to make all of the meetings, please talk to me. Your level of interest in our activities and participation in those events you can attend is a key factor.
The Emergency Worker numbers for those volunteers who do not maintain Active status will be de-activated and they will be removed from the CRESA database. You are always welcome to attend meetings and training sessions, but will not be eligible for activation. You may return to Active status at any time.
Once you complete the Basic Training class, you will always be a CERT volunteer. But in order for CRESA to know how many volunteers may be available to respond to a call-out and what skills they may bring to a situation, these requirements have been established.
If you would like to have branded CERT clothing, the CERT Clark County, WA logo is on file at Envision It... Embroider It! You may take the clothing item of your choice, including hats, into the store directly and order the embroidery -- just ask for the CERT logo. The cost is $7.50+ tax per item.
Preferred colors for clothing items are black, white, khaki/tan, gray, green.
We have a public facing website! www.CERTClarkCountyWA.com.
Please share it on your own social media pages.
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