Get prepared before a disaster.
Learn how to help after.
CERTs learn basic skills to respond to their community’s immediate needs in the aftermath of a disaster.
CERT is a national program
After a major disaster, first responders will be overwhelmed. The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training is a national program supported by FEMA that teaches you how to take care of yourself, your family and to help your community until first responders are able to assist.
What you will learn
Safety First: We don’t put ourselves at risk and we always work in pairs.
First Aid: Set up a medical triage area and perform basic first aid, because treating people for shock and stopping the bleed are two ways you can help until first responders arrive.
Fire Safety: Learn about the different types of fire extinguishers and practice putting out a fire because hands-on experience builds muscle memory.
Search & Rescue: Practice light search and rescue techniques to help locate and extract victims and then safely transport them to a medical area.
Register NOW for Teen CERT!
We all have a role to play in keeping our communities safe, including our teens.
Open to all Marin County teens aged 14 and up.
This isn’t just a lecture class. You will practice splinting each other’s limbs, search for hidden volunteer victims, use a fire extinguisher and participate in several disaster simulations.
It’s challenging. It’s worth your time.
Hands-on training
Watch CERTs in Action
Register for CERT Basic Training
The CERT Basic Training is free and open to all Marin County residents over the age of 18. CERT is taught in two formats: The standard In-person Training and the new Hybrid Training, a combination of online learning and one day of in-person instruction. Anyone over 14 years of age can sign up for the Hybrid Training.
You may train at any class location in the County. You must be present at all class meetings to be Certified. If you miss a class, you will have 6 months to make it up.
All ages and physical abilities are welcome and we’ll never ask you to do anything you aren’t comfortable with.
Because CERTs are volunteers, there is no requirement after completing the training to respond in a disaster. Your skills are useful at home with your family and neighbors.
In-person CERT Basic Training
In-person trainings consist of 20 hours of instruction and hands-on practice in a classroom environment. All students must attend ALL sessions.
Register your interest for an upcoming CERT class.
Hybrid CERT Basic Training
Hybrid training combines online training with an in-person Skills Day.
The self-paced training is estimated to take 10-12 hours and is followed with an in-person Skills Day.
When you have completed the class please email your certificate to register for the next Skills Day.
CERT history
The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) developed the CERT program after examining the civilian response to disasters in Mexico and Japan in 1985. The LAFD recognized that citizens are likely to be on their own during the early stages of disaster and while untrained volunteers can be effective in aiding others, their lack of training puts them at risk for injury or death.
After the Whittier Narrows 5.9 earthquake in 1987 the CERT concept was developed and implemented by the Los Angeles City Fire Department in 1985, and became a national program in 1993.
There are over 2,700 local CERT programs nationwide and more than 600,000 people have trained since CERT became a national program.
Photo: USGS
