The primary focus of the Community Emergency Response Team program is to provide personal training for the core principles of CERT: safety, teamwork, and place in overall community emergency operations plan. West Orange County CERT (WOC-CERT) focuses its training efforts on the people who live and or work within the West Orange County regional area, though all people are welcome to attend and complete our CERT Academy program. Completing the CERT Academy is the first step to becoming a member of our West Orange County CERT program. You can find out more about this training and when the next course is being offered here.
WOC-CERT members along with police and other first responder personnel work together to maintain Team skills. We maintain our internal working relationships by attending refresher classes and exercises where all Team members are invited to participate. Some of these events are joint exercises with Orange County or larger Regional CERT teams and operate as they would during an actual disaster.
Once the 20 hour FEMA CERT at our Academy Training has been completed, there is no obligation on your part to continue with the program. You will receive our periodic Team emails and can unsubscribe from them at any time.
Our CERT Program is based on the FEMA standards and has 3 Types* for members to participate. The levels, requirements, and responsibilities are defined below.
West County CERT Program Volunteer Levels of Participation*
Volunteer Type 3 — In-City
Volunteer Type 2 — CMAP
Volunteer Type 1 — CMAP Advanced
After a CERT member attains Type 3 status, they will receive a CERT ID and are eligible to purchase a WOC-CERT uniform.
The FAQs for the Task Book and this transition period from the old system is here
Volunteer Type 3 —Requirements
- Complete the Academy Training (minimum 20 hours of training total). In-Person or Hybrid with Disaster Simulation/Drill/Exercise
- CERT Code of Conduct; Interview
- Background check per Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) / Photo
- Complete IS-100: Introduction to Incident Command System, an online course.
- Complete IS-700: National Incident Management System (NIMS) An Introduction, an online course.
- Complete SEMS G-606: Standardized Emergency Management System Introduction, an online course
- CERT Member in Good Standing with AHJ (Refresher Training & Exercises)
- Position Task Book (PTB) not required for Volunteer Type 3
Volunteer Type 2 —Requirements
- Completion of Type 3 requirements
- Complete IS-200: ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents
- Basic First Aid (Current Certification)
- Basic Adult CPR/AED (Current Certification)
- Red Cross Shelter Fundamentals Course (Red Cross prerequisites and 8-hour course)
- OC CMAP Responders Course (6-hours); Includes PTB Skillsets Exercise
- Position Task Book (PTB) – Volunteer Type 2 (Functional Exercise, Full Scale Exercise, or Incident)
Volunteer Type 1 —Requirements
- Completion of Type 2 requirements
- Maintain Member Currency (participate in an operational incident, exercise, or planned event at least once every two years)
- Maintain a current Basic First Aid certificate
- Complete IS-288: Role of Voluntary Organizations
- Complete IS-315: CERT/ICS
- Complete IS-505: Religious and Cultural Literacy
- Complete IS-800: National Response Framework, An Introduction
- Position Task Book (PTB) – Volunteer Type 1 (Functional Exercise, Full Scale Exercise, or Incident)
All West Orange County CERT members are invited to attend the bi-monthly (second Wednesdays of the even months) CERT Program training sessions. These sessions normally include a potluck dinner where the Team meets, enjoys an eclectic variety of food and has a chance to socialize and get to know each other. After dinner, the Team receives updates on the program from the Leadership Team, takes part in a training or awareness presentation, and always have fun together. These meetings generally begin with a Team pot-luck at 5:30 p.m. with the training and updates starting at about 6:00 p.m. The meeting location is announced via the Team email and usually is at one of the partner city’s police or community facilities. Since members are alerted to meeting locations via email a few weeks prior to the event, staying on the Team email list is important.
West Orange County CERT Uniforms
WOC-CERT program members who have attained Type 3 have earned the privilege to wear the West Orange County Regional CERT uniform. Once the Type 3 requirements have been met, the uniform details will be provided by your city coordinator.
RACES – Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service
Most of the Cities that make up West Orange County CERT have associated RACES Teams. These teams form the communication backbone for the city police departments in times of emergencies. If you are currently an licensed Ham Radio operator or would like to find out more about becoming one or the details on your city’s RACES program, please ask CERT Leadership or your City’s Emergency Services Coordinator.
Additional Training
Additional advanced Training Modules are available from FEMA and may be taken at any time. Please submit training certificates to the Team Admin Lead for proper recording. These are free courses and typically take between 1 and 4 hours to complete, your results may vary.
Skills Review
* NOTE: These membership Types and requirements are specifically for Orange County CERT Volunteers. They have been approved by the Orange County CMAP group and have been standardized to meet the state and FEMA types as part of the national program.