What is CERT?

Local government prepares for everyday emergencies. However, during a large disaster, the number and scope of incidents can overwhelm conventional emergency services. The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT); traditionally known as the Disaster Response Team (DRT) in Agoura Hills; is designed to educate residents and businesses about emergency preparedness for hazards that may impact their area and instructs them in basic disaster response skills. Using the skills learned in the classroom and during exercises, CERT-trained DRT members can give critical support to their families, neighbors, and community immediately following a disaster when residents may initially be on their own and emergency services may not be available to help.

Agoura Hills CERT website - http://www.ahcert.org/

 Why was the CERT Program developed? 

The CERT training program was developed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and modeled after the original 1985 programs used by the City of Los Angeles Fire Department. The purpose of the CERT program is to create a well-trained citizen emergency work force which is vital in the immediate aftermath of disaster situations when the number and scope of incidents overwhelm conventional emergency services.

 

Why do the CERT Training?

CERT members are primarily used in their own neighborhoods. CERT training means you are as ready as you can be to help yourself, your family, and your neighborhood, and serves as the basic level of training for all community-based disaster volunteer teams. In a disaster, normal activities will be disrupted; sheriff, fire, 9-1-1, and ambulances will be quickly overwhelmed and may not be able to respond for 72 hours. Residents need to be able to take care of themselves until the professional emergency responders arrive. One goal of the CERT program is to help residents respond to and assist others in need and do so effectively without placing themselves in unnecessary danger.

CERT Training Schedule

DUE TO THE CURRENT PANDEMIC, CERT TRAINING CLASS ARE TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED.  TRAINING SESSIONS WILL RESUME AFTER DISCUSSIONS WITH LA COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT DETERMINE TRAINING SESSIONS CAN RESUME IN A SAFE MANNER.

CERT MARCH-APRIL  2020

Informational Resources

• Emergency Plan/Checklist

• Emergency Supply List - Ready.Gov

• Emergency Information Regarding Pets

• Emergency Information Regarding Horses

• Family Emergency Plan - Ready.Gov

• Grab & Go Bag Information                                                                                                                                                                      
• CERT Disaster Response Team Membership                                                                                                                                 
• Emergency Preparedness Resource List - This is a list of preparedness vendors as well as useful website addresses prepared by the County of Los Angeles for personal emergency preparedness. This information is provided as a convenience, and does not endorse any of the vendors or their products.     
  
  
• Wildfire & Earthquake Preparedness Information
  
  
• What is CERT?

INTERESTED RESIDENTS CAN ACCESS THE WEB PAGE TO REGISTER ON-LINE BY CLICKING THE LINKS BELOW:

 
          CERT CLASS REGISTRATION/SIGN-UP


John Treichler
Administrative Analyst
City of Agoura Hills
Phone: (818) 597-7309
jtreichler@agourahillscity.org