Issaquah CERT News

New Radio Repeater at Blakely Hall Expands Emergency Communications

Maddie Coats — Wed, 28 Oct 2026 21:41:58 GMT

Issaquah Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) volunteers recently installed a General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS) repeater on the roof of Blakely Hall to improve emergency communications and strengthen the building’s role as a Resilience Hub during a disaster.

Using an existing antenna, the repeater will help connect Blakely Hall with other resources throughout the city via GMRS or ham radio communications if a disaster disrupts other means of communication.

“The plan is for each Resilience Hub to compile information about the area around them and send it to the city’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC),” explained Issaquah Highlands resident and CERT volunteer Bob Otis. “The repeater provides broader service, so we can reach Timber Ridge or South Cove from Issaquah Highlands.”

The repeater receives a weak radio signal and re-broadcasts it at higher power over a greater distance, extending the reach of radio communications and making connections possible when traditional communication systems may be unavailable. The repeater is connected to a backup battery inside Blakely Hall, ensuring it can continue to support the community even during a power outage.

Inside the New Team Leader Class

Maddie Coats — Mon, 19 Oct 2026 16:55:09 GMT

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.

CERT Receives Grants to Strengthen Community Preparedness

Maddie Coats — Wed, 22 Jul 2026 22:06:40 GMT

Issaquah Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) has received two grants that will help expand emergency preparedness efforts and support residents throughout the community.

A grant from the Puget Sound Energy Foundation will help CERT build community resilience by purchasing supplies for CERT training classes and supporting volunteer continuing education, including CPR, Stop the Bleed and search and rescue courses. The funding will help ensure volunteers are equipped with the knowledge and resources needed to respond during emergencies.

CERT also received a King County District 3 Councilmanic Grant, sponsored by Councilmember Sarah Perry. The grant will help provide fans and high-quality air filters to income-eligible residents, improving indoor air quality during wildfire smoke events and periods of extreme heat.

Together, the grants will strengthen CERT's mission of preparing residents, supporting volunteers and helping the Issaquah community become more resilient in the face of emergencies.

CERTs Distribute Air Filters and Fans Ahead of Wildfire Season

Maddie Coats — Wed, 22 Jul 2026 21:52:24 GMT

Issaquah Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) volunteers partnered with the City of Issaquah on June 17 and 20 to distribute free Clean Air Giveaways to income-eligible residents, helping households prepare for wildfire smoke and extreme heat.

Each kit included a high-efficiency air filter and a box fan, providing residents with an affordable way to improve indoor air quality during smoke events and hot weather.

The Clean Air Giveaway program is supported by a King County District 3 Councilmanic Grant, sponsored by Councilmember Sarah Perry. The funding helps Issaquah CERT continue providing resources that improve emergency preparedness and protect vulnerable community members during wildfire season and periods of extreme heat.

Spring CERT Course Graduates 19 New Volunteers

Maddie Coats — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 22:08:02 GMT

The spring 2026 CERT course concluded in March with 19 graduates! Congratulations to our newest CERT members and thank you to the volunteers who stepped up to teach and bring the final drill together. Thank you to Mayor Mark Mullet for attending the graduation ceremony and presenting certificates to the class.

Do you have friends or family interested in taking a CERT course? The next course is scheduled for October 2026. If you've already taken a CERT class and want a refresher, you are welcome to attend a future class to brush up on course materials.

Volunteers Support Firefighters at Columbia Tower Stairclimb

Maddie Coats — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 18:08:17 GMT

Issaquah CERT assisted Eastside Fire Corps, Seattle Medic One and other agency volunteers with the Firefighter Stairclimb at Seattle's Columbia Tower in early March 2026.

The annual Firefighter Stairclimb challenges firefighters to climb 1,356 steps in full gear to raise funds for blood cancer research. About 2,200 career, volunteer and retired firefighters participated in the world's largest on-air stair climb competition.

CERT Volunteers Participate in Bellevue Nasty Drill

Maddie Coats — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 17:31:17 GMT

Issaquah CERT volunteers put their skills to the test at the Bellevue Nasty Drill at Lake Sammamish State Park on Feb. 28, joining teams from Bellevue, Woodinville, Carnation and beyond for a late-night disaster simulation.

From 10:30 p.m. to 2 a.m., volunteers trained in real-world conditions. The drill served as a reminder that emergencies don’t wait for convenient timing.

Interested in joining this effort? Start with CERT Basic Training. The next course is scheduled for fall 2026.

(Photos courtesy of Carnation/Duvall Citizen Corps)

Issaquah CERT Assists with Carnation Search and Rescue Efforts

Maddie Coats — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 06:42:52 GMT

Issaquah CERTs were deployed to help King County Search & Rescue and Carnation-Duvall Citizen Corps in the search for a missing dementia patient in Carnation in February 2026.

On Thursday, Feb. 12, the missing man walked from his home on Tolt River Road in Carnation and hasn’t been seen since that day. Volunteers canvassed nearby neighborhoods, along with surrounding wooded areas and rivers/streams.

(Photos courtesy of Carnation-Duvall Citizen Corps)

Washington Flood Cleanup Guide

Maddie Coats — Fri, 09 Jan 2026 01:45:22 GMT

WA flood cleanup guide: Tips for safely cleaning home, car | The Seattle Times

WA Landslide Risk Maps Still Incomplete

Maddie Coats — Fri, 09 Jan 2026 01:42:32 GMT

WA landslide risk maps still incomplete over a decade after Oso | The Seattle Times

After 2014 Oso Landslide - What Did We Learn?

Mon, 18 Mar 2024 03:50:43 GMT

After 2014 Oso landslide, what did we learn about preventing disaster? | The Seattle Times

Could We Have an Earthquake Disaster Like Turkey?

Tue, 21 Mar 2023 17:29:52 GMT

This Seattle Times opinion article says yes, we could have an earthquake disaster like the one in Turkey. To prepare for it, please check out our Disaster Preparedness page.