Inland Valley Community Emergency Response Team (TEST)

Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)

The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program is a nationally supported, locally implemented initiative that teaches people how to better prepare themselves for hazards that may affect their communities. Since 1993, CERT has trained the public in basic disaster response skills such as team organization, disaster medical operations, fire safety, and light search and rescue. The ability of CERT volunteers to perform these activities frees up professional responders to focus their efforts on more complex, essential, and critical tasks.

CERT Purpose

CERT is 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. Until trained emergency personnel arrive, citizens will initially be on their own. What we do in the meantime can make a difference. No matter where you live, no matter who you are, we all have a role in hometown preparedness. Do you know the role YOU will play?

In 95 percent of all emergencies, the victim or bystander provides the first immediate assistance on the scene. Would you know what to do? With CERT training, you will!

CERT History

The CERT concept was developed and implemented by the Los Angeles City Fire Department in 1985. The Whittier Narrows earthquake in 1987 underscored the area-wide threat of a major disaster in California. Further, it confirmed the need for training civilians to meet their immediate needs.

CERT became a national program in 1993. There are now CERT programs in all 50 states, including many tribal nations and U.S. territories. Each is unique to its community, and all are essential to building a Culture of Preparedness in the United States. There are over 2,700 local CERT programs nationwide, and more than 600,000 people have trained since CERT became a national program.

Inland Valley CERT

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CERT Training

Training Classes

Inland Valley CERT conducts 2 CERT training classes each year in the spring and the fall. Through CERT training, citizens will have the skills to:

Provide basic first aid
Manage Utilities (Ex: gas, water, and electrical shutoffs)
Put out small fires (fire extinguisher training)
Systematically search for and rescue victims safely
Organize themselves and other volunteers to be an effective team after a disaster
Be trained and ready with a Disaster Preparedness Kit

CERT Basic Training Manual

Each member will receive a copy of the CERT Basic Training Manual. The contents of the manual are:

Unit 1: Disaster Preparedness
Unit 2: CERT Organization
Unit 3: Disaster Medical Operations—Part 1
Unit 4: Disaster Medical Operations—Part 2
Unit 5: Disaster Psychology
Unit 6: Fire Safety and Utility Controls
Unit 7: Light Search and Rescue Operations
Unit 8: CERT and Terrorism

CERT Training Requirements

To successfully complete CERT Training requires:

A commitment of 24 hours of training

Completing the practical exercise with hands-on instruction in:

Fire suppression
Search and rescue
Cribbing
First Aid

Certificate of Completion

After completing the training, participants will receive a certificate of completion and a CERT backpack with emergency supplies and equipment.

Upcoming Training

Inland Valley CERT will post events and training. Please come back soon to receive more information.

Inland Valley CERT Interest Form

Please use the Inland Valley CERT online form to submit your contact information if you are interested in attending CERT training with Inland Valley CERT, located at the Pala Fire Department.

Pala Band of Mission Indians Pala Fire Department Inland Valley Community Emergency Response Team CERT Interest Form

Pala Band of Mission Indians Pala Fire Department Inland Valley Community Emergency Response Team CERT PFD Training Center

PFD Training Center Map

PFD Training Center Address

34890 Lilac Extension Road, Pala, CA 92059 (map)

PFD Training Center Directions

Direction to the Pala Fire Station Training Room

From San Diego and Riverside Counties: Take I-15 to Highway 76 and go east 5 miles.
You will come to the Pala Casino Spa and Resort on your right-hand side.
Continue east on Highway 76 past the Casino exactly ¼ mile to Lilac Extension Road and turn right.
You will see the Pala Fire Station on your left-hand side.
Enter the station’s open gate on the right side of the main structure and follow the road behind it.
The training room is in a separate building to the left of the 4-story burn tower, both behind the main structure.
Park in any available parking spaces anywhere around the training room.

CERT Basic Training Video

Before, during, and after disasters, CERT volunteer teams perform basic response activities, including checking in on neighbors, distributing information to the public, supporting emergency operations centers, and helping to manage traffic and crowds. Local CERT programs train and organize teams of volunteers to assist their families, neighbors, co-workers, and other community members.

View the CERT Basic Training: Introduction and Unit Overview video on the What is CERT Training page.

CERT in ACTION

Community Emergency Response Team members from California, Florida, and Texas explain how they come together to prepare their communities and assist their neighbors during emergencies.

The video below offers a detailed look at the experience of a Community Emergency Response Team.