Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)

CERT Logo

Rancho Santa Margarita's proximity to natural parks and open space make it vulnerable to wildfires. And all of Southern California is earthquake country. It is not a matter of IF a major disaster will strike, but WHEN. And when it does, trained community members could be the first to assist their neighbors before emergency responders arrive and reach everyone who needs help.

CERT is a national program under the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) that includes eight hands-on classes delivered in 3-hour sessions:

  1. Emergency Preparedness
  2. Fire Safety
  3. Emergency Medical Operations I
  4. Emergency Medical Operations II
  5. Light Search and Rescue I
  6. CERT Organization
  7. Disaster Psychology/Terrorism
  8. Disaster Simulation/Exercise

How to Apply

The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program educates volunteers about disaster preparedness for the hazards that may impact their area. It trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations.

The program falls under the Federal Emergency Management Agency's jurisdiction and is standardized nationwide.

CERT training consists of eight mandatory three-hour sessions. Please complete this interest form, and you will be contacted when the next class is forming and notified of the days and hours of the course.

See Ready Gov CERT for more information.