CERT Training

Training Information

Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training is usually delivered in about two and a half hours each session. Most classes are one evening a week over eight sessions and free to the public. For businesses, schools, and industrial CERT training, the department will work with your business to customize classes to best fit your shift schedules.

Sessions

Session I: Disaster Preparedness

This session addresses hazards to which people are vulnerable in their community. Materials cover actions that participants and their families can take before, during, and after a disaster. As the session progresses, the instructor will begin to explore an expanded response role for civilians so that they begin to consider themselves disaster workers. Because they will want to help their family members and neighbors, this training can help them do that in a safe and appropriate manner. The CERT concept and organization are discussed as well as applicable laws governing volunteers in that jurisdiction.

Session II: Disaster Fire Suppression

Session II briefly covers fire chemistry, hazardous materials, fire hazards, and fire suppression strategies. The thrust of the session is the safe use of fire extinguishers, sizing up the situation, controlling utilities, and extinguishing small fires.

Session III: Disaster Medical Operations, Part I

Participants practice diagnosing and treating airway obstruction, bleeding, and shock by using simple triage and rapid treatment techniques.

Session IV: Disaster Medical Operations, Part II

Session IV covers evaluating patients by doing a head-to-toe assessment, establishing a medical treatment area, performing basic first aid, and practicing in a safe and sanitary manner.

Session V: Light Search & Rescue Operations

Participants learn about search and rescue planning, size-up, search techniques, rescue techniques, and most importantly, rescuer safety.

Session VI: Disaster Psychology & Team Organization

This session covers the signs and symptoms that might be experienced by disaster victims and workers. CERT organization and management are addressed as well as the need for documentation.

Session VII: Course Review & Disaster Simulation

Participants review their answers from a take-home examination. Finally, they practice the skills they have learned during the previous sessions in a disaster activity.