Home — Services — C.E.R.T.

When disasters strike neighbors must often band together to recover from the devastation. Everyone has a role, including you, through Community Emergency Response Teams (C.E.R.T.).

This nationally recognized program, created by the Los Angeles Fire Department and adopted by fire departments across the country, empowers residents to help themselves and their neighbors when emergency assistance is not immediately available.

Training is offered to residents of all ages year-round through our fire district as an eight-week course AT NO CHARGE.

Participants attend the classes once each week at varying times throughout the year.

Your training culminates with a disaster drill that covers everything you've learned. The exercise simulates real situations CERT members can expect to encounter.

You must rely on the skills you and your fellow teammates have learned to do the greatest good for the greatest number of people.

When training is over, you and your neighbors will become members of one of the district's CERT teams. You can either join a team near you, or if you and at least six of your nearby neighbors attend classes, you can create your own team.

You and your teammates then select a CERT member to serve as the team's liaison to the fire district. Your team can be organized any way you want. Fire district instructors are available to attend your team meetings to provide continuing training.

As part of a district team, you'll be issued equipment and supplies that identify you as a Golden Gate Fire Control and Rescue District CERT member. You'll also be invited back to assist the district with mock disaster drills for incoming CERT members.

Download a CERT brochure in portable document format (PDF)