The Los Angeles Fire Department is pleased to provide disaster preparedness training for your community or business group. The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program is a 17½ hour disaster preparedness course designed for business and community organizations in the City of Los Angeles. This program is the Nationally Accepted Federal Standard for community response team training.

CERT should not be confused with our local Crisis Response Team (C-R-T) victim assistance program.

Are you are a CERT graduate? Click here.

The LAFD Disaster Preparedness Unit

• Your Name
• Mailing Address
• Daytime Telephone Number
• Fax Number
• E-Mail Address
• Total number of people to receive training

• Advanced planning is required.
• Contact the Disaster Preparedness Unit via the information provided below.
• An interest sheet will be completed by a CERT staff member.
• Interest sheets are sorted by City Council District.
• Classes are scheduled on an equitable basis by Council District, and prioritized by initial contact date.

• CERT Training is offered free of charge within the jurisdiction served by the Los Angeles Fire Department.
• CERT Training is generally provided in seven separate 2½ hour weekly sessions.
• CERT Training Staff can work with you in developing a training curriculum and schedule to fit special needs.
• Students must attend all seven sessions to receive a CERT graduation certificate and an official LAFD "Disaster Service Worker" ID card.
• To host a class, you need only provide a suitable location and an audience.
• The site you choose must be open to all citizens who wish to attend.
• We welcome you to consider neighborhood public schools, public auditoriums, community buildings, houses of worship or any other facility that will accommodate the anticipated participants in a classroom setting.
• The minimum class size for CERT Training is 25 students.

The Los Angeles Fire Department's Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program was developed to create a well-trained civilian emergency work force. These teams are vital for disaster situations when the number and scope of incidents clearly overwhelm conventional emergency services. CERT training provides community self-sufficiency through the development of multi-functional response teams that can act as an adjunct to local emergency services during major disasters. Empowered by this unique training, people from community organizations, businesses, industry, and City employees can assemble as a CERT, or perform as individual leaders to direct untrained volunteers in the initial phase of a disaster.

CERT members receive 17½ hours of initial training in earthquake awareness, disaster fire suppression techniques, disaster medical operations, light search and rescue as well as team organization and management. CERT Training culminates with a disaster simulation and comprehensive course review. All training is conducted in a congenial atmosphere by active-duty career Firefighters with expertise in disaster management. This successful program continues to evolve and expand.

The ability of a business or community to recover from the devastating effects of an earthquake or other disaster requires the active planning, participation and cooperation of all members of society. The responsibility for preparedness, however, lies with each individual. By encouraging preparedness efforts, hazard identification and mitigation, CERT can minimize the effects of a disaster and facilitate recovery. The benefits of this program are numerous. CERT has increased the overall level of public disaster readiness in Los Angeles, provided emergency skills that people may use in day-to-day emergencies, enhanced the bond between government and populace, and increased community spirit.

The men and women of the LAFD hope that others worldwide will benefit from the success of CERT in Los Angeles.

The course consists of seven 2½ hour classes, with major emphasis given to hands-on training. The curriculum consists of the following:

CLASS 1 - INTRODUCTION, EARTHQUAKE AWARENESS

• Registration
• Introduction
• Earthquake Threat in Southern California
• Personal and Family Preparedness
• Nonstructural Hazard Mitigation

CLASS 2 - DISASTER FIRE SUPPRESSION TECHNIQUES

• Fire Chemistry
• Fire Extinguisher Use
• Utility Control
• Ventilation
• Creative Firefighting Techniques
• Hazardous Materials

CLASS 3 - TEAM ORGANIZATION AND MANAGEMENT

• Developing a Response Team
• Incident Command System
• Size-Up
• Disaster Psychology

CLASS 4 - DISASTER MEDICAL OPERATIONS / SESSION I

• Recognizing and Treating Life-Threatening Emergencies
• Triage
• Treatment Area Management

CLASS 5 - LIGHT SEARCH AND RESCUE OPERATIONS

• Evacuation
• Search Techniques
• Rescue Methods

CLASS 6 - DISASTER MEDICAL OPERATIONS / SESSION II

• Head-to-Toe Evaluation
• Recognizing and Treating Non-Life-Threatening Emergencies
• Muti-Casualty Incident Operations

CLASS 7 - COURSE REVIEW AND DISASTER SIMULATION

• Course Review
• Practical Exercises
• Critique

This initial seven-week course is followed by a voluntary continuing education program. These sessions are offered periodically, and give CERT Graduates a chance to sharpen their skills under the guidance of active-duty Firefighters.

Local CERT members can click here for the latest program information, refresher training opportunities and a chance to interact with fellow CERT Graduates.

The LAFD is pleased to share extensive CERT training information with governmental agencies and community groups that are interested in starting a similar effort in their area. LAFD Instructor Trainers can travel worldwide to provide on-site guidance to those leading local CERT training classes.

Los Angeles Fire Department

Disaster Preparedness Unit - CERT

5021 North Sepulveda Boulevard

Sherman Oaks, CA 91403 USA




Telephone: (818) 756-9674

           Fax: (818) 756-9681

       E-mail: lafdcert@lafd.lacity.org

Please mention the "CERT Program" in your correspondence or when you call.