What is CERT?
The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program educates people about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations.
Using the training learned in the classroom and during exercises, CERT members can assist others in their neighborhood or workplace following an event when professional responders are not immediately available to help.
CERT members also are encouraged to support emergency response agencies by taking a more active role in emergency preparedness projects in their community.
CERT training incorporates a practical approach to handling emergency and disaster situations. CERT promotes readiness, self-sufficiency, teamwork, rescuer safety and doing the greatest good for the greatest number of people. Students learn how to organize themselves during a disaster, manage utilities, extinguish small fires, search for and rescue survivors and provide basic disaster medical care.
CERT training consists of 20 hours delivered over the course of three days. Those who complete all training hours, including practical skills practice, will receive a certificate of completion and CERT kit.
Upcoming Classes
- October 19-21
La Quinta
Free
Information and registration, click here. - November 2-4
Indio
Free.
Information and registration, click here. - November 6-8
Roy Wilson Training Center, Thousand Palms.
Free.
Sponsored by the City Rancho Mirage, 760-324-4511. - February 1-3, 2019
Palm Springs Palm Springs residents preferred.
$50.
Information and registration, click here.