The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Classes are about readiness, people helping people, rescuer safety, and doing the greatest good for the greatest number.

CERT is a positive and realistic approach to emergency and disaster situations where citizens will be initially on their own and their actions can make a difference. Through training, citizens 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.

Over the course of the CERT program you’ll learn the most up to date information through hands-on training in basic disaster preparedness, use of a fire extinguisher, disaster medical care, first aid training, search and rescue techniques, communicating through FRS radios and neighborhood team building. Participants of the program will learn lifesaving skills, rescuer safety, and doing the greatest good for the greatest number.  Each of the CERT modules (except Radios) is covered in the Participant Manual, and will be fully illustrated and explained during the class (the radios class has a separate handout of information).

Please review each Chapter in the Participant Manual before each class so that way you will be familiar with the topic and ready with any questions you may have for the Instructor.

The last class of the series will be a Skills Day. During this extended Saturday or Sunday class, students will get a chance to practice the individual skills they learned in class, with fellow members of the San Mateo Consolidated Fire Department CERT who have qualified as an Instructor for that skill. This is a very full and fun day, and includes your graduation ceremony and presentation of your membership credentials and CERT equipment backpack (for those who live in the cities SMCFD serves).