Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)

CERT Training

The Newport Beach Fire Department is looking forward to offering its Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training next Spring. To join our program and receive email updates, please click here to fill out an application and join our mailing list for future class dates.

About the CERT Program

The CERT Program is designed to prepare you to help yourself, your family, and your neighbors in the event of a catastrophic disaster. Because emergency services personnel will not be able to help everyone immediately, you can make a difference by using CERT training to save lives and protect property.

Following a major disaster, first responders who provide fire and medical services will not be able to meet the demand for these services. Factors such as number of victims, communication failures, and road blockages will prevent people from accessing emergency services they have come to expect at a moment's notice through 911. People will have to rely on each other for help in order to meet their immediate life saving and life sustaining needs.

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 where citizens will be initially on their own and their actions can make a difference. Through training, citizens can manage utilities and put out small fires; treat the three killers by opening airways, controlling bleeding, and treating for shock; provide basic medical aid; search for and rescue victims safely; and organize themselves and spontaneous volunteers to be effective.

CERT Training Eligibility

The Newport Beach Fire Department provides CERT training for Newport Beach residents, schools, and businesses. The classes are taught by Newport Beach firefighters and lifeguards. To apply for a CERT program, go the the Newport Beach CERT Better Impact Volunteer Management system, enter your information, sign the liability form and code of conduct, and apply for the CERT program that meets your schedule. After applying, please sign up for the class series that you are interested in.

CERT Program Topics
Introduction to Disaster Preparedness Disaster Psychology and Team Organization		Disaster Medical Operations Fire Suppression		Terrorism Awareness Light Search and Rescue