CERT Program

COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM
Neighbors Helping Neighbors

CERT LogoThe Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program helps train people to be better prepared to respond to emergency situations in their communities. When emergencies happen, CERT members can give critical support to first responders, provide immediate assistance to victims, and organize spontaneous volunteers at a disaster site. CERT members can also help with non-emergency projects that help improve the safety of the community.

The CERT course is taught in the community by a trained team of first responders who have completed a CERT Train-the-Trainer course conducted by their state training office for emergency management, or FEMA’s Emergency Management Institute (EMI), located in Emmitsburg, Maryland. CERT training includes:

  • disaster preparedness
  • disaster fire suppression
  • basic disaster medical operations
  • light search and rescue operations.

Over the next two years, the CERT program aims to double the number of participants, with over 400,000 individuals completing the 20 plus hours of training. Train-the-Trainer sessions will be held in all 56 states and territories over the next year to expand the program throughout the United States.

We have a place for you. CERT training is for individuals 18 and older of all abilities. No special skills are required and training is free. Our training facilities are wheel-chair accessible. Please notify us in advance if you will need assistance to complete your training. Each volunteer must complete 21 hours of initial training. We also have a Campus CERT program for ages 12 and up.

The Washoe County Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) is a regional Citizens Corps program overseen by the Washoe County Sheriff's Office and funded through Citizen Corps and Department of Homeland Security grants. It is administered through the Local Emergency Planning Committee and by donations from local businesses and citizens. We are also supported by Washoe County Emergency Management, Reno Fire, North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District, the Sierra Fire Protection District, Truckee Meadows Community College and work in partnership with numerous agencies throughout northern Nevada.

For more information about the Washoe County CERT programs and training opportunities, vist their websiteOpen in New Window. You may also call their coordinators at (775) 325-6928.

Additional information is also available by visiting the national CERTOpen in New Window homepage.

The information on this page is provided as a community resource and has not officially been endorsed
by the Pleasant/Steamboat Valleys Landowners Association. Your participation is voluntary.