The Emergency Services Coordinating Agency (ESCA) is hosting classes for disaster preparedness throughout King and Snohomish counties in order to increase disaster preparedness for things like mudslides or weather disasters.

Classes start Jan. 15 and will run for eight consecutive Thursdays from 7-10 p.m. and will be held at the Northshore Fire Department headquarters, at 7220 NE 181st St. in Kenmore.

The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) includes training about how to keep you and your family safe during an emergency until help arrives to assist.

Learn how to extinguish small fires, provide life-saving first aid, conduct urban search and rescue and other important skills needed in a disaster situation.

The last class will be a disaster simulation for students.

To register for the CERT Classes or find more information, please contact Vickie Fontaine at (425) 776-3722.