Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program

The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program is a nationally supported, locally implemented initiative that teaches people how to better prepare themselves for hazards that may affect their communities. CERT trains them in basic disaster response skills such as team organization, disaster medical operations, fire safety and light search and rescue. Local CERT programs train and organize teams of volunteers to assist their families, neighbors, co-workers and other community members during emergencies when professional responders may not be immediately available to provide assistance. Before, during and after disasters, CERT volunteer teams perform basic response activities, including checking in on neighbors, distributing information to the public, supporting emergency operations centers and helping to manage traffic and crowds. The ability for CERT volunteers to perform these activities frees up professional responders to focus their efforts on more complex, essential and critical tasks. CERT volunteers also support their communities by organizing, promoting and participating in emergency preparedness events, activities and projects.

CERT Training

For E/L/K/G0427 and E/L/K/G0428 course offerings please visit the WA EMD State Training Calendar: Click here - STATE TRAINING CALENDAR

For additional course offerings, please visit the National Disaster and Emergency Management University (NDEMU) Emergency Management Institute (EMI) course schedule webpage. Click here - Emergency Management Institute | Course Schedules

CERT Basic Training

If available, emergency services personnel are the best trained and equipped to handle emergencies. Following a catastrophic disaster, however, you and your community may be isolated for an extended period for a myriad of reasons, including the size of the area affected, inoperable communications systems or unpassable roads. CERT Basic Training prepares you to help yourself and help others in the event of a catastrophic disaster. Because emergency services personnel will not be able to help everyone immediately, you can make a difference by using your CERT training to save lives and protect property.

This training covers basic skills that are important to know in a disaster when emergency services are not available. With training and practice, and by working as a team, you will be able to protect yourself and maximize your capability to help the greatest number of people after a disaster.

If you are interested in attending CERT Basic Training, reach out to your local CERT Program for their next course offering.

E/L/K/G0427 CERT Program Manager

This course prepares participants to establish and sustain an active local Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program. The responsibilities of a local CERT Program Manager are various. This course defines the core components of a local CERT program and focuses on effective practices for:

• Planning and interacting with a broad range of stakeholders;
• Managing program resources;
• Sustaining the program course topics, including:
  • Developing local CERT program goals and a related strategic plan;
  • Promoting a local CERT program;
  • Orienting, managing and retaining CERT members;
  • Recruiting, funding, managing and retaining CERT trainers;
  • Acquiring and managing program resources;
  • Delivering and managing effective training and exercises;
  • Developing policies and procedures for operating a local CERT program; and
  • Evaluating and sustaining the program.

For more information about the course description please visit here: ELKG0427: Community Emergency Response Team Program Manager

For E/L/K/G0427 and E/L/K/G0428 course offerings please visit the WA EMD State Training Calendar: Click here - STATE TRAINING CALENDAR

E/L/K/G0428 CERT Basic Train-the-Trainer

This course prepares participants to deliver FEMA's Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Basic Training course. This Train-the-Trainer course focuses on preparing instructors to:

• Deliver CERT Basic Training.
• Convey the messages and intent of the CERT program (e.g., safety, teamwork, place in overall community Emergency Operations Plan).
• Assure that participants achieve the objectives of CERT Basic Training.
• Create a comfortable yet managed learning environment.

For more information about the course description please visit here: ELKG0428: Community Emergency Response Team Train-the-Trainer

For E/L/K/G0428 course offerings please visit the WA EMD State Training Calendar: Click here - STATE TRAINING CALENDAR\

Be 2 Weeks Ready

Our agency's Be 2 Weeks Ready program can help your family and neighborhood get better prepared. A connected community will be able to respond to and recover more quickly from the effects of a disaster and save lives. Communities will most likely be based on geography — neighbors helping neighbors — but they can be based on shared backgrounds, common interests or faith groups. 

CERT Program Assessments

As the CERT Program transitions to the Washington Emergency Management Division, we will be assessing how to maintain alignment with the FEMA CERT Program Guide. There is currently no process in place for CERT Programs to annually update/recertify their programs. WA EMD is working to identify the state process for CERT Program Assessments to capture information about existing CERT Programs and allow new programs the opportunity to register.

CERT Program Contact

Training Program – Shared Inbox
General Inbox | EMD.Training@mil.wa.gov

Jeffrey Brink
Training and Exercise Program Coordinator - CERT Program Coordinator
(253) 512-7136 | jeffrey.brink@mil.wa.gov