The CERT Program’s primary purpose is to educate people about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their family, neighborhood, or workplace.
Why CERT?
The CERT concept was developed and implemented by the Los Angeles City Fire Department (LAFD) with the purpose of training community members to assist in times of emergency or disaster.
In a wide spread emergency event like an earthquake, it could be 3 to 7 DAYS before emergency responders are available to reach the neighborhoods and businesses in Western Orange County.
By providing information and hands on training, the CERT Program helps people prepare and be more self-reliant in times of emergency and are able to assist first responders when called upon.
We Educate
Provide resources and training events that inform members of the community how to prepare for a disaster at community events, neighborhood meetings, and during our Basic CERT Training courses.
We Serve
We serve our communities when called upon by member agencies by providing necessary support. This service could be helping to fill sandbags before a pending storm, assisting at a CERT training course, or helping with traffic control during emergencies or police operations. While the tasks vary there is something for everyone’s skill set and physical ability to do.
We Have Fun
Yes, safety is our number one concern which is why we take precautions to minimize safety risks for ourselves and those around us.
CERT is a FEMA sponsored program
The CERT basic training covers 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 are better able to assist their family, neighborhood or workplace following an event when first responders (paramedics, fire, police) are not immediately available to help.
In a wide spread emergency event like an earthquake, it could be 3 to 7 DAYS before any emergency responders are able to reach the neighborhoods and businesses in Western Orange County.
Once the basic CERT training has been completed, CERT members can increase their knowledge and capability by attending classes on animal care, special needs concerns, donation management, community relations, shelter management, debris removal, utilities control, advanced first aid, Automatic External Defibrillator use, CPR skills, and others. CERT member also can use their skills to help the program flourish by volunteering for scheduled events.
CERT volunteers are also encouraged to support emergency response agencies by taking an active role in emergency preparedness projects, bi-monthly Team pot-luck dinners and other “call out” events like the Seal Beach Run and the Westminster Tet Parade. These events help to build Team comradery, keep members up-to-date, and refine the skills taught in the basic training.
In an emergency, CERT teaches you to take care of your personal safety first, then your family, and then those around you. It is important to know what to do to protect ourselves and our family members before, during, and after an emergency event. CERT Training helps you do exactly this. Find out more about our next training event here.