Save-the-date. TFD hosts remembrance ceremony on Sept.11, 2013.

At 9:30 a.m. on Sept.11, the Tacoma Fire Department will host a public remembrance ceremony at Marine Park (4301 Ruston Way) to mark the 12th anniversary of the 9/11 tragedy. Tacoma City Council Member Robert Thoms and Tacoma Fire Chief James P. Duggan will be present to deliver remarks.

The event is part of a nationwide salute to firefighters, police officers, emergency medical services workers and civilians whose lives were lost and forever changed on that day.

Please join us as the nation keeps its solemn vow that “we have not forgotten.”

National Preparedness Month - September 2013

The City of Tacoma Emergency Management Division encourages everyone to participate in National Preparedness Month (NPM). NPM focuses attention on what citizens should do to ready themselves, their families and their communities for potential disasters. This year's theme is "Pledge to Prepare - Awareness to Action."     

According to Ready.Gov, the U.S. government’s official preparedness website, there are three key steps for each citizen to become prepared for an emergency:

1. Build A Kit:  Keep enough emergency supplies on hand for you and those in your care. For example, water, non-perishable food, first aid, prescriptions, flashlight, and a battery-powered radio.
2. Make A Plan:  Discuss, agree on, and document an emergency plan with those in your care. Work together with neighbors, colleagues and others to build community resilience.
3. Be Informed:  Free information is available to assist you from federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial resources.

Want to get involved?
Consider enrolling in a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training to learn about how to prepare and respond to a disaster in our community.

Registration is now open for CPR Sunday 2013

CPR Sunday is an annual community event offered free-of-charge to anyone interested in learning the basic life-saving skills of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). On the second Sunday in October each year, participants are taught the fundamentals of CPR and then given the opportunity to practice with CPR manikins and Automated External Defibrillators (AED). Over 800 participants attended this life saving class last year.

CPR Sunday will be held Oct. 13, at Foss High School, 2112 S. Tyler St. in Tacoma.

In order to secure your preferred class time please pre-register at http://www.cprsunday.net/registration.php.

What Attendees Can Expect

• More than 50 certified Basic Life Support instructors
• 1 1/2 hours of classroom training and 1 hour of hands on training
• Four class options: 8 AM, 10 AM, 12 PM, or 2 PM
• Practical training with CPR manikins and AED's.

What Attendees Will Learn

• What happens when you call 9-1-1
• Patient assessment
• One rescuer adult/child/infant CPR and obstructed airway
• Automated external defibrillator use
• Foreign body airway obstruction management
• Essentials of a home first aid kit
• CPR-related information/reminder list for home and wallet

Note - this class is "Citizen Level CPR" and does not meet the Washington State Health Care Provider Level card requirements.