Islands’ Oil Spill Association is offering a free class for islanders who would like to be trained to help in the event of an oil spill affecting wildlife. IOSA is a non-profit, community-based oil spill response organization and the only spill response group in the San Juan Islands.

IOSA’s “Care and Rescue of Oiled Wildlife” training will be on Saturday, Jan. 23, on Lopez Island from 1 to 5.45 p.m. The class is timed so that people from other islands can walk on the mid-day ferry, get a ride to and from the class and get back home in the early evening.

This class is one of two required by the Washington Dept. of Fish and Wildlife in order to be certified to help in the event of an oil spill. Search and rescue techniques, capture, handling, transport and essential primary care needs will be discussed and an overview of the logistics of responding to an oil spill in the islands will be given, including the many ways community members can help during a spill.

Class size is limited so registration is advised. Call the IOSA office at 378-5322 or email at: iosaoffice@rockisland.com.

IOSA offers spill responder training several times a year so if you cannot make it to this class, the IOSA can take mailing and email addresses to ensure you are notified of upcoming trainings. Check out the website at: www.iosaonline.org.