CERT provides a free, three-day, hands-on course designed to teach you vital emergency preparedness skills that can make a real difference in any crisis. Whether you’re new to emergency response or looking to refresh your skills, this training is for everyone!
Why Sign Up?
- Free Training: CERT is 100% free, and you’ll receive a CERT go-bag and certificate upon completion.
- Hands-On Experience: Learn and practice life-saving skills like Fire Safety, Search & Rescue, and Basic Medical Aid through engaging drills and live exercises.
- Community Impact: Become a trained volunteer ready to assist during local emergencies and disasters.
This training is a fantastic way to build confidence, learn practical skills, and contribute to your community. If you’re interested, please fill out the linked Google forms and we’ll send you more details. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to abigailsamantha@ucsb.edu.
Google Forms for CERT Classes
SPRING CLASSES ARE FULL! Join the Waitlist! → This quarter classes take place on April 27th, May 3rd, and May 4th
Sign up for future CERT Classes!
Sign up to be a "Live Victim" for our Day 3 Drill! (Scroll to bottom of page for details)
Sign up for a Climate Cafe Event - 4/17
CERT Training Course Details
The CERT training course is delivered in the community by a team of first responders who have the requisite knowledge and skills to instruct the sessions.
CERT training consists of the following classes:
- Disaster Preparedness: Instructs team members on how to prepare themselves and their community for the various types of hazards that may occur.
- Fire Suppression: Covers fire chemistry, fire hazards, and fire suppression strategies.
- Medical Operations Part I: Participants practice diagnosing and treating airway obstructions, bleeding, and shock by using simple triage and rapid treatment techniques.
- Medical Operations Part II: Covers evaluating patients, establishing a medical treatment area, and performing basic first aid.
- Light Search and Rescue: Participants learn light search and rescue planning, techniques, and rescuer safety.
- Team Organization and Disaster Psychology: Addresses CERT organization and management principles necessary for a CERT to operate successfully, and covers signs and symptoms that might be experienced by the disaster victim and worker.
- Terrorism and Homeland Defense: Do’s and don’ts during a terrorist act and homeland defense tips.
- Course Review and Live Disaster Drill: Participants review the course and practice the skills that they have learned during the previous seven sessions in a disaster simulation.
For more information about CERT, visit the FEMA CERT Website or our About page
Become a trainer!
Want to become a CERT Trainer? After completing the main class, attend Train-the-Trainer sessions and become certified to teach the class! Certification is free and takes place on campus, in the quarter following your completion of CERT class. Sign up below to become a trainer!
Collaborations and Volunteering
Does your campus organization or club want to collaborate with CERT? Want to volunteer as a live victim during our live drill? Fill out the Google form below and email our president Abby at abigailsamantha@ucsb.edu to connect!
Live Victim Details: You'll be assigned a victim "character," and we'll apply the corresponding fake blood/wounds on you so you can be treated by our CERTs. Lunch and snacks are provided. It is a ~3 hr time commitment and a photo release is required.