Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)

Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) is a training program that gives individuals the basic disaster response skills to offer vital support to their family, associates and neighborhood while awaiting help from first responders. The course is offered once a week for 10 weeks with a final drill/graduation on a Saturday. San Pablo is fortunate to be able to host the CERT training in English and Spanish.  

Course Topics

This nationally recognized program is offered in a classroom setting immediately followed by hands-on exercises covering the following topics:

• Disaster Preparedness
• Fire Safety and Utility Control
• Light Search & Rescue
• Team Organization
• Disaster Medical Operations: Triage, Assessment and Basic Treatment
• Disaster Psychology
• Terrorism and CERT

Interested in Taking CERT

The training is offered to the community at no cost. You need to be at least 16 years old to participate as the teaching techniques are geared toward adult learners. Priority registration will be given to those who live and/or work in the City of San Pablo. 

If you have any questions or would like to register, please contact the CERT Program Manager.

Stay Involved (for CERT Graduates)

After completing the CERT basic training, what do I do? The best way to stay connected is to stay involved. Consider these options: 

• Share the information you've learned with your family and friends. Better yet, get them to take the training. Everyone can benefit from preparing! 
• Participate in advance or refresher training. Opportunities are emailed monthly to graduates. Please contact the CERT Program Manager with your email address to receive these updates. 
• Monthly meetings are conducted to increase your personal and community preparedness, offer additional training, and provide networking opportunities with your fellow CERT graduates. 
• Bring your expertise to the instructor team. If you are interested in becoming a CERT instructor, please review our Volunteer Instructor Guidelines to see if it would be a good fit for you. 
• Volunteer for special projects or upcoming events. Help is always needed. Please contact the CERT Program Manager to offer assistance.