CERT training is designed to prepare you to help yourself, your family and your neighbors in the event of a catastrophic disaster. Professional emergency services personnel will not be able to help everyone immediately, so citizens like you can make a difference by using your CERT training to protect and save lives. With training and practice, you will be able to do the greatest good for the greatest number of people after a disaster, while helping prevent yourself from becoming a victim.

Emergency Services Coordinating Agency (ESCA) began providing CERT training in 1996. Since then, over 600 citizens have graduated from the CERT program.

The program typically includes an eight-week course with evening classes from 6:30 - 9:30 p.m. A nominal fee of $35 applies. For more information, and to register online, click here.

CERT courses include:

• Disaster preparedness
• Fire suppression
• Medical triage
• Light search and rescue
• Incident command
• Terrorism/psychology
• Disaster simulation