After completing the CERT training course, participants should be able to take the necessary steps to safely secure themselves and their families. Beyond that, CERT Trained Volunteers are prepared for and expected to lead their communities by supporting any larger, neighborhood or Citywide disaster or emergency responses. Once trained and CERTified as a Disaster Service Worker Volunteer [DSW-V], members may be called to serve by identifying and reducing potential fire hazards in and around their neighborhoods, recognizing life-threatening conditions and applying appropriate life-saving techniques, conducting light search and rescue operations and, supporting with situation and status reporting.
Community Emergency Response Team Training [CERT]
Help us #ReadyOakland. Through training, individuals can manage utilities and put out small fires; treat the three killers by opening airways, controlling bleeding, and treating for shock; provide basic medical aid; search for and rescue victims safely; and organize themselves and spontaneous volunteers to be effective until professional first responders can arrive.
We encourage everyone to register for CERT training. If you have already submitted a registration form, you will be notified as space in the class becomes available, according to the schedule posted online. Session dates are subject to change based on operational need/capacity. All changes will be published on this website.
How do CERT teams help?
See Oakland CERT In Action
Upon successful completion of the CERT training, course graduates receive their CERTificates and become official City of Oakland Disaster Service Worker Volunteers [DSW-V]. Here's what CERT training looks like IRL [in real life].
Please Note: Oakland CERT training takes at minimum, 24 hours to complete and can be delivered in two ways. The first option is to complete the training in 3 days via the in-person accelerated delivery or; the training can be completed via hybrid delivery, whereby a portion of the training is completed online via independent study modules and a weekly Zoom meeting before participants meet for the second, in-person and hands-on, skills training component.
Additional CERT Resources
This is a list of resources that will be available soon to help you on your journey to becoming an active Oakland CERT member. We will continue to update this section as new information becomes available.
-
Register for Oakland CERT Training
Register for the next CERT training class.
-
Upcoming Oakland CERT Events
Attend an upcoming CERT event.
-
Coming Soon! | Advanced CERT Training
Take your response a few steps further - check out our advanced CERT training modules.
-
Questions or Ideas for Oakland CERT?
Email the Oakland CERT Coordinator.
-
CERT Volunteer Opportunities
Put your CERT skills to use! Click here to submit your CERT volunteer interests!
-
Coming Soon! | Find or Register an Oakland CERT
Join or start a CERT in your neighborhood. Use the mapping tool here to locate a CERT.
-
Coming Soon! | Map My Neighborhood
Identify community resources before disaster. Use the mapping tool to locate resources.
-
Coming Soon! | Resources for Teen CERT Members
Find resources and additional information for high school youth.
-
Coming Soon! | CORE Program Policies & Procedures
Know how and when to activate your CERT. Read the CERT specific Policies & Procedures.
-
Frequently Asked Questions - CERT Specific
Check here for a list of FAQ's that are specific to Community Emergency Response Teams.
2023 CERT Training Schedule
ACCEPTING REGISTRATIONS FOR CERT TRAINING SESSIONS:
2023.1 - 3 Day Adult Accelerated Delivery
2023.2 - Hybrid [Online/In-person] Delivery
2023.3 - 3 Day Adult Accelerated Delivery
2023.4 - 3 Day Adult Accelerated Delivery
2023.5 - Hybrid [Online/In-person] Delivery
| CERT Session Number & Start Dates | CERT Registration Form Submitted Date | Related Links |
|---|---|---|
|
|
Registrants will be notified via email at the email address provided on the registration form, by January 31, 2023. |
|
|
Registrants will be notified via email at the email address provided on the registration form, by March 7, 2023. |
|
|
Registrants will be notified via email at the email address provided on the registration form, by May 9, 2023. |
|
|
Registrants will be notified via email at the email address provided on the registration form, by July 25, 2023. |
|
|
Registrants will be notified via email at the email address provided on the registration form, by August 29, 2022. |
About
After completing Oakland Community Emergency Response Team [CERT] training, course graduates will:
- Be able to identify and anticipate hazards in the home and workplace
- Understand what steps to take in order to increase personal and family readiness
- Be familiar with the Incident Command System and basic functions
- Know how to organize themselves and spontaneous volunteers in a disaster or emergency
- Know how to apply basic medical techniques/basic first aid
- Be able to set up medical treatment areas
- Know how to help reduce survivor and DSW-V stress
- Know how to safely extinguish small fires
- Be able to conduct light search and rescue activities
- Be able to assist emergency responders in mass casualty incidents.
- Understand the appropriate actions to take in an active shooter situation
- Be able to promote CERT Training in Oakland
Oakland CERT Training is available free of charge via hybrid [Digital/In-person] delivery, or via an accelerated 3- Day, in-person delivery. Teen CERT is typically delivered in-person, via the linked learning pathway and certification program at ARISE High School in Oakland.
Youth who do not attend ARISE High School may join any of the hybrid or accelerated CERT classes provided that parent or guardian permission has been obtained.