Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)

If you live or work in Berkeley, and are age 18+, you may sign up for the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program. It provides education in disaster preparedness and training in basic emergency skills. 

In a catastrophic disaster, government resources (people and supplies) may not be available for several days following the event. By preparing neighborhoods and community groups with basic emergency skills we can lessen the effects of a disaster and help sustain ourselves until assistance can arrive.

CERT curriculum

The CERT curriculum includes disaster preparedness, fire safety, disaster medical operations, light search and rescue operations, CERT Organization, and continuing education courses. 

Berkeley CERT approaches community preparedness through three key components: Training, Response, and Volunteering. Community members can take training to learn how to help their communities in a disaster. They can serve as community volunteer responders in emergencies in Berkeley, and they can support CERT program development as volunteer trainers and subject matter experts.

Registration 

To register for a class, click on the class name under “Schedule of Classes” below. 

Schedule of classes

(Schedule subject to change depending on instructor availability)

No classes currently scheduled.

Online CERT program

Community members can participate in an online CERT program through the California Specialized Training Institute (CSTI). To access the online self-study program, sign up on the CSTI website. Download signup instructions for the online self-study CERT program.

Berkeley CERT classes are held online via Zoom unless otherwise noted. 

In-person classes include hands-on skills training. Closed-toe shoes are mandatory. 

CERT materials, alternative formats, and accessible services

Berkeley CERT materials can be downloaded and printed or viewed online on the CERT Resources and Materials page. The City does not print copies of these documents for distribution. 

This material is available in alternative formats upon request. Alternative formats include audio-format, Braille, large print, electronic text, etc. Please contact the Disability Services Specialist and allow 7-10 days for production of the material in an alternative format.

Disability Services Specialist
Email: ADA@cityofberkeley.info
Phone: (510) 981-6418
TTY: (510) 981-6347

In-person trainings are held in a wheelchair-accessible location. To request a disability-related accommodation(s) to participate in the training, including auxiliary aids or services, please contact the Disability Services Specialist at 981-6418 (V) or 981-6347 (TDD) at least three business days before the meeting date. Please refrain from wearing scented products to in-person training.

Food is not provided during training classes.

Email information and class notification list

Sign up for the CERT information and class notification email list. 

Emails are periodically sent to notify list participants of upcoming disaster preparedness and CERT classes and activities.

For additional information, call 510-981-5605.

If the class you wish to enroll in is full, you can sign up to be notified when additional classes are added.