Community Emergency Response Team

The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program educates volunteers about disaster preparedness for the hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations. CERT offers a consistent, nationwide approach to volunteer training and organization that professional responders can rely on during disaster situations, which allows them to focus on more complex tasks. Through CERT, the ability to prepare for, respond to and recover from disasters is built and enhanced.

The CERT program was designed and structured so that the local and state program managers have the flexibility to form their programs in the way that best suits their communities. CERT volunteers are trained to respond safely, responsibly and effectively to emergency situations, but they can also support their communities during non-emergency events as well. There are more than 2,700 local CERT programs nationwide, and more than 600,000 individuals have been trained since CERT became a national program.

How to Get Involved With CERT

Step 1: If you are a new volunteer, register online here 

Step 2: Select a free CERT Basic Course date from the links below (Using Signup Genius allows us to better communicate with attendees). 

Note: If the link to email Camano Preparedness Group does not work, visit their site at Camano Preparedness Group to enroll.

Step 3: Attend the free CERT Basic Course.

Step 4 (Optional): Fill out an Emergency Worker Card and email it to dem@islandcountywa.gov .

Class Information

Island County CERT classes run Friday through Sunday and consist of 20 hours of training. You may take this class as many times as you desire, as we want you to feel comfortable with the knowledge we are sharing. The class is free to take.

There is an optional online course to take before class. This is a no-cost course provided by FEMA – Emergency Management Institute. You are encouraged to complete the course (and the test) prior to the CERT Class. We will be reviewing this coursework in class.

When: This is an accelerated class held on three consecutive days. The course is free of charge.

  • 6 PM-9:30 PM on a Friday – Orientation and Introduction (Note: The South Whidbey classes run from 5 PM to 8:30 PM)
  • 9 AM to 5 PM on a Saturday – Classroom and hands-on
  • 9 AM to 5 PM on a Sunday – Classroom and hands-on

What to bring: You will need to bring either a laptop or tablet/e-reader with the electronic version of the manual (link below), or a 1½-inch binder to hold your manual (Note: Our supply of participant manuals is highly limited. Please use the electronic version if you are able to). Bring lunch/snacks and wear comfortable work clothes on Saturday and Sunday as the exercises (drills) will be indoors and out. 

If you need to cancel, please let us know as soon as possible by emailing us at dem@islandcountywa.gov.

What Does the Course Involve?

The course consists of eight units and a review. Classes are taught by trained emergency personnel. The format may vary from one or more classes a week to three eight-hour days. The schedule is up to the instructor and the class. The course agenda is generally as follows:

  • Disaster Preparedness: Addresses hazards specific to the community. Materials cover actions that participants and their families take before, during and after a disaster as well as an overview of CERT and local laws governing volunteers.
  • Fire Suppression: Covers fire chemistry, hazardous materials, fire hazards and fire suppression strategies. However, the thrust of this session is the safe use of fire extinguishers, controlling utilities and extinguishing a small fire.
  • Medical Operations Part I: Participants practice diagnosing and treating airway obstruction, bleeding and shock by using simple triage and rapid treatment techniques.
  • Medical Operations Part II: Covers evaluating patients by doing a head to toe assessment, establishing a medical treatment area and performing basic first aid.
  • Light Search and Rescue Operations: Participants learn about search and rescue planning, size-up, search techniques, rescue techniques and rescuer safety.
  • Psychology and Team Organization: Covers signs and symptoms that might be experienced by the disaster victim and workers, and addresses CERT organization and management.
  • Course Review and Disaster Simulation: Participants review and practice the skills that they have learned during the previous six sessions in a disaster activity.