No I haven’t, but I’ll be very interested in anything you can tell us about it as it progresses.

Cool, mdln! How does one become an instructor? Did you teach on a particular topic? We are especially impressed at how the instructors we have take serious material and make it a lot of fun to learn.

Lynn, we've been learning radio communication which is not as easy as one would think it should be. We've got massive amounts of information to cover over the next 10 weeks. It's heartening to be in the classroom with a room full of neighbors from my area who all want to be able to give back to the community. Very uplifting and motivating.

No but it sounds very interesting. DH is a volunteer Reserve Deputy with our county sheriff’s department and has a HAM license, DSIL is a firefighter/paramedic, and we have 2 nurse practitioners and an RN in the family. I have taken various lifesaving skills courses over the years and was once certified to be a ski patrol. We should look into this.

OP, it's definitely a good thing to do. Sounds like you and your family already have experience in this area, and you'd be an asset to a CERT group I am sure. My DH has had his interest sparked in HAM radio. Does your DH have opportunity to use his often? (And ski patrol? How cool is that!)

Our county recently announced CERT classes. The day after the announcement I tried to sign up but all the slots were filled already. Apparently it’s pretty popular around here. Enjoy!

Bluebell - I'll bet they start holding regular classes! You might see if you can be placed on a waiting list (if it's not too late), or get your name in early to sign up for next time. Hope you get to take the course soon!

I underwent the intensive training and received certification. Even if one does not choose to register for the CERT call list, it's a fantastic opportunity to learn about emergency precautions and procedures. It was particularly enlightening to find out that one should tightly close the bedroom door while sleeping to delay fire spreading to this area. They provided all materials, including books and supplies, and the local fire department gave hands-on instructions on putting out real-time fires (warning: wear a mask!)

Highly recommended!

Our hospital is offering Stop the Bleed classes and I believe they are open to the public. They are courses in what to do for mass casualties and traumas if you are present. Unfortunately, sounds like good skills to have.

Ida, DH uses his radio quite a bit. They have supported tornado watches and warnings, local long-distance road races and bike races (staging people in remote locations so they can communicate accident locations and mobilize volunteers, leader locations, etc when no cell service is available).

He has a mobile unit too and we have used it when on vacation to keep up with weather conditions. Heard tornado spotters on the radio last year while going across the Midwest (Nebraska) and it kept us from driving toward an area in danger. We parked under an overpass with several others while the storm passed.

Ski patrol traning was extremely good. Had to re-certify each year in the classroom (stabilizing ‘fracture’, readying for transport, administering oxygen, etc. Then had to go to the mountain and transport someone down the mountain in a litter. We had to go to North Carolina for that. It was cool!