Salem, OR WEATHER
Sign in Subscribe

CERT Update - September 2026

CERT Update - September 2026

By Mark Wardell, for the West Side Newspaper

As summer winds down and we start looking forward to the cool crisp air of an Oregon autumn, it’s easy to get focused on back-to-school routines and changing schedules. But if emergency preparedness has been on your to-do, I have great news: it is not too late to sign up for our upcoming Fall CERT class!

Whether you’ve been reading this column for months or just recently started thinking about what your neighborhood would do during a major storm or earthquake, this is your chance.

Class Starts September 10th

Our upcoming six-week Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training series officially kicks off on Thursday, September 10th.

This course is designed to give everyday residents practical, hands-on skills. You don't need any prior medical or emergency background, just a desire to help your family and neighbors when professional responders are delayed or overwhelmed.

Throughout the course, we cover essential topics including:

  • Disaster Medical Operations: Triage, basic first aid, and treating life-threatening conditions.
  • Fire Safety & Utility Control: How to safely shut off utilities and extinguish small fires before they spread.
  • Light Search & Rescue: Scene safety, search techniques, and victim extrication.
  • Disaster Psychology & Organization: Managing stress and organizing team efforts during a crisis.

The Schedule:

  • Dates: Thursdays, September 10th, 17th, and 24th, followed by October 1st, 8th, and 15th.
  • Time: 6:00 p.m. to 8:30(ish) p.m.
  • Location: Fire Station #6 Training Room (2740 25th Street SE).
  • Final Drill & Graduation: Saturday, October 17th, from 8:30 a.m. to noon.

Attending all sessions is required to become a certified CERT member. We provide all the training materials and gear; all we need is you! Preregistration is required. To reserve your spot or ask questions about registration, please contact Lola Hackett at LolaH.CERT@yahoo.com.

Next West Salem Team Meeting: Saturday, September 12th

If you're not able to commit to the full six-week training course right now, or if you just want to get a feel for what our team does, you’re more than welcome to join us at our next local meeting!

  • When: Saturday, September 12th, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
  • Where: Roth’s Event Center (tucked right behind the Roth’s Fresh Market on Wallace Rd here in West Salem).

This meeting is open to everyone; you don't need to be a certified CERT member or have any prior training to attend. It's a casual, friendly, low-pressure environment where you can meet your West Salem neighbors, grab a cup of coffee, ask questions, and learn more about neighborhood resilience. Come on out and see what we're all about.

Contact Information

If you have any questions about this article, preparedness in general, or if you'd like to inquire about joining CERT or scheduling a presentation for your organizations, neighborhood groups, and communities of faith. To educate your neighbors about CERT or emergency preparedness, please don't hesitate to contact me, Mark Wardell, at PNMarkW2@gmail.com. You can also find more information about our city-wide efforts by visiting SalemOregonCERT.org.

If you have questions about this article, local emergency preparedness, or scheduling a presentation for your HOA or community group, please contact me, Mark Wardell, at PNMarkW2@gmail.com. You can also learn more about our city-wide volunteer efforts and our newly formed nonprofit support group, Friends of Salem CERT, at SalemOregonCERT.org and FriendsOfSalemCERT.org.