Many of our CERT members have the skills with radios, medical and disaster response, but fewer feel ready to stand up in front of a small team and say, "Here's the plan."

This fall, Issaquah CERT set out to change that with its first Team Leader class, a four-session course designed to turn volunteers into confident leaders of teams of 2-6 people. The class ran over four two-hour sessions.

Classes covered a range of topics from types of leadership, communications and legal issues for volunteers.  The students were able to practice what they
learned via short, practical exercises and tabletop scenarios.  As their final test, the team leaders in training will lead teams of new volunteers during the Basic CERT class final drill in November.

Student had this to say about the class:

Melissa joined CERT because disaster preparedness was interesting and
exciting, then realized how much it mattered at home. Her neighborhood
has one road in and out, with nearly 200 homes up a winding mountain
road.

"Now, not only do I feel that I'm prepared for emergency situations, but I'm sharing what I learned with my neighbors by leading a Map My Neighborhood effort with the goal that my community be prepared to help themselves and each other in the event of a real emergency," she said.

Shari says the class took her well beyond personal survival skills.

"Because of the team lead class, I feel I've moved beyond basic disaster
survival skills and have learned how to effectively organize, manage
and support a team during an emergency. I learned that a leader's top
priority is always the safety of the team," she said.

She adds, "It gives me peace of mind knowing that in case of an emergency, I can help turn chaos into order, making my immediate surroundings safer for my family, neighbors and community."

Alicia saw the class as the next step in her CERT journey.

"The Team Leader class was a perfect opportunity to take my role at CERT to the next level. Through real-world problem-solving scenarios and small group
discussions, the class provided us with a basic foundation that can be expanded and built upon with skills classes CERT has to offer in the future. I feel a true sense of purpose and commitment to the community as a member of CERT," she said.

As Shari put it, "CERT turns bystanders into lifesavers." Our new team
leaders are proof that it also turns lifesavers into leaders.

If you are a CERT member interested in the Team Leader Class, please
contact ski.kacoroski@issaquahcert.org as we will be teaching another
class in early 2027.  If you are interested in the Basic CERT class,
please visit our website and fill out the interest form.