Join Encinitas’ Community Emergency Response Team!
Did you know…
There is a very good chance that your neighborhood will be on its own during the early stages following a catastrophic disaster. For example, during the 2003 Cedar and Paradise Fires, public safety officials had a difficult time quickly evacuating residents from neighborhoods near the flames and emergency services were stretched so thin that it was impossible to assist all those in need.
After a catastrophic disaster, citizens will volunteer to help. Without proper training these people can expose themselves to potential injury and even death!
Experience has shown that basic training in disaster survival and rescue skills improves the ability of citizens to survive until responders or other assistance arrives.
The Encinitas Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) 
Program
To prepare residents for catastrophic disasters, the Encinitas Fire Department is implementing a CERT program. The CERT program will teach citizens basic emergency skills and educate them so that they can effectively respond to disasters as a part of a team. The program is modeled after the Los Angeles Fire Department's program, which has been established in various communities nationwide since 1986.
People who participate in CERT training will have a better understanding of potential disaster threats to their home, workplace and community. If a disaster occurs that overwhelms local emergency response capabilities, trained CERT members can apply their training to give critical support to family, neighbors and co-workers until professional help arrives.
The program includes special training for basic fire suppression and medical care. Volunteers will also learn how to size-up search and rescue situations, such as a collapsed building, for example, to determine whether it is safe to go in. Classes will be taught by Encinitas firefighters
At the end of the course, the students will respond to a mock emergency to give them a chance to put their skills into action. Once the training is successfully completed, volunteers will receive a certificate at a special City Council ceremony, designation as a Disaster Service Worker and a CERT hardhat, vest, gloves and other safety and emergency response equipment worth about $50 per volunteer.
“Hands-on” training covers:
- Disaster Preparedness
- Fire Safety
- Disaster Medical Operations (Assessing and Treating Injuries)
- Light Search and Rescue
- Team Organization
- Disaster Psychology
- Terrorism and CERT
- Wildfire Preparedness and Response
- Final Exercise
Who may attend CERT training?
The program is open to those who live or work within the city of Encinitas and are at least 18 years of age. The class size is limited to the first 20 students that enroll, and students must complete all classes to become a CERT member.
2008 CERT Schedule
► 2008 CERT Schedule
All classes will be held at the Encinitas Community & Senior Center at 1140 Oakcrest Park Drive (at the corner of Encinitas Blvd and Balour Drive).
How Do I Enroll?
► Apply online to join CERT.
If you have questions regarding the Encinitas CERT Program, please email or call us at (760) 633-2815.