Sign up for disaster preparedness classes to learn how to extinguish fires, rescue victims, perform first aid, and help others cope with stress.
Take emergency preparedness classes with fellow Berkeleyans to learn practical skills you can use in your neighborhoods before, during, and after disasters.
These classes include skills such as:
- Extinguishing fires
- Finding and rescuing victims using basic tools
- Performing basic first aid
- Helping survivors cope with the extreme stress
Take any one of these classes at the Fire Department’s training center in West Berkeley. You can also take all seven classes to complete the series to help increase your own resiliency, that of your neighborhood, and Berkeley as a whole.
Each of these 3-4-hour-long classes will be offered two times in person from January 8 to April 18, 2026, with evening and weekend sessions available.
Register for all classes via Eventbrite as soon as possible as spots fill up quickly.
Register for classes on Eventbrite
After a major disaster, first responders may have to first address more urgent priorities away from your neighborhood. Community Emergency Response Team training (CERT) teaches you how to take care of yourself, your family, and your community until first responders are able to assist.
Sign up to attend CERT classes in person at the Fire Department Division of Training, 997 Cedar Street.
Some classes build on previous topics and knowledge and require prerequisites from the series, so it is recommended to take the courses in order. Take each class once, either on a Thursday evening or Saturday morning.
Class openings are prioritized for first-time students. If you have signed up and cannot attend a class, cancel your Eventbrite reservation as soon as possible to open up a spot on the waitlist.
Unit 1: Disaster Preparedness
Learn about Berkeley’s disaster risks and get the key steps, guidance, and planning support you need to prepare yourself, your family, and your community.
Unit 2: Disaster Medical Operations I
Provide basic first aid for common injuries, and use simple, potentially life-saving interventions after a disaster.
Unit 3: Disaster Medical Operations II - (Prerequisite: Unit 2)
Build on your first-aid skills for treating a wide range of wounds and conditions.
Unit 4: Fire Safety and Utilities
Learn successful fire prevention strategies that can help your community in a disaster.
Unit 5: Disaster Mental Health
Learn how to help your community build emotional resilience for emergencies.
Unit 6: CERT Organization
Organize effective response teams and gather critical disaster information safely during an emergency.
Unit 7: Light Search and Rescue - (Prerequisites: Unit 2 and Unit 3)
Assist your community in finding disaster survivors safely.
Create community connections
By signing up for classes, you’ll also connect with a community of others dedicated to disaster preparedness. You’ll connect with the Berkeley Fire Department, other City staff, CERT instructors and trainees, and passionate neighbors.
Through your community connections and guidance from neighborhood CERT leaders, you will learn how to organize and support your friends, family, and neighbors in times of need.
In CERT classes, you will:
- Learn from experts and people with lived experience
- Collaborate with other Berkeley residents and neighbors
- Practice and feel confident in your ability to help others
Sign up for CERT classes to build emergency networks with others, know what to do during disasters, and stay connected.
Links
- Sign up for CERT classes (Eventbrite)
- Disaster Preparedness Trainings (City of Berkeley)
- Get updates from the Berkeley Ready newsletter (City of Berkeley)
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