Community Emergency Response Team

• A CERT is a group of people organized as a neighborhood-based team that receives special training to enhance their ability to recognize, respond to, and recover from a major emergency or disaster situation.
• Teams are trained by professional responders in areas that will help them take care of themselves and others before, during and after a major emergency.
• As an organized team, individuals can provide vital services in the absence of and while waiting for the arrival of emergency responders;  they often also assist once responders arrive.

CERT Information Request

Download Flier(PDF, 286KB)

In Arlington County

Arlington has always had an all-hazards approach to emergencies. Among the more likely emergencies in our county are fires and weather-related situations like winter storms and tornadoes.

In addition, the events of Sept. 11, 2001, made it clear that the resources of our public safety departments could become overwhelmed in a disaster. Community members wanted to help and it became apparent that the most helpful volunteers were those with some level of disaster-relief training, even though the precise type of disaster may not be foreseen. Thus emerged the concept of the first all-disaster, neighborhood-based CERTs in northern Virginia.

The goal is to have a CERT in every Arlington neighborhood. Become a CERT Volunteer!

Anyone who live, works, studies or volunteers in Arlington can apply for free CERT training.  Trainees become full CERT members after completing all class sessions and a drill/practical exam, including eight classes over a six-week period, taught by local emergency response/management personnel. Each class is approximately two and a half hours and reading assignments are given at the end of each class. Practical, table-top and team-building exercises are also included in classes. Download Flier(PDF, 286KB).

Areas of training include:

• Disaster Threats in Arlington County
• Personal and Family Preparation and Safety
• Recognizing and Treating Life-Threatening and Non-Life-Threatening Emergencies
• Triage and Treatment Area Management
• Incident Command System
• Disaster Psychology
• Fire Safety Techniques
• Light Search and Rescue Operations

The final session includes a practical exam comprised of a set of disaster simulations to give trainees the ability to apply their newly acquired skills in a semi-realistic environment. Continuing and advanced education is available for interested graduates.

CERTs can be created within already organized groups, including:

• Neighborhood Groups
• Civic Associations
• Homeowner/Condo/Townhouse Associations
• Business Groups
• Neighborhood Watch organizations
• Scouts
• Faith-Based Groups

Arlington has trained several neighborhood teams and will continue building on that base. As new people are trained, they are referred to existing teams. As existing teams grow, they may choose to divide into smaller neighborhoods. 

Free ArlCERT Basic Training (CBT)

Training will be offered to the community (groups and individuals) on the dates below. CBT is required to volunteer with CERT. 

2022-Fall Class Schedule

Download flier(PDF, 286KB)

CBT Training (in English) is held two times a year and CBT Training in Spanish Language is held once a year. Classes are held on Wednesdays and Saturdays for a total of eight sessions. Apply now.

The course is FREE and open to anyone on lives, works, attends school or a place of worship or volunteers extensively in Arlington County.

Sign up now to register for ArlCERT course

Equipment

CERT members are expected to acquire certain supplies in addition to those that should be on hand in every household. A list of supplies is provided at the first CERT class. As some are provided by the County, students should not purchase them before that time.

Questions? Email us at lcortes1@arlingtonva.us

Activities

Before an emergency, CERT members are expected to have an awareness of their own neighborhoods, and to predetermine possible evacuation sites that will facilitate effective, safe and rapid response to emergencies.

During a major emergency, where first responders are unable to respond immediately, CERT team members:

• Assume a leadership role.
• Assess situations and properly advise emergency responders when they arrive.
• Recognize the potential hazards associated with a particular type of event and take appropriate action.
• Take steps to get to safety and/or help others to do so in an organized fashion.
• Help identify staging areas for operations and triage.
• Help identify, organize and utilize local resources.
• Assist others with the emotional distress associated with major emergencies and disaster conditions.
• Administer first aid and/or triage casualties.
• Perform needs assessments, document and communicate needs to local authorities.
• Support effective and efficient allocation of emergency resources.

Activation

CERT members are activated:

• By an authorized Arlington County agency.

Ongoing Participation

Those who complete the CERT training are expected to:

• Help prepare individuals and organizations in the neighborhood to take care of themselves in the event of a disaster by providing or facilitating education about emergency preparedness
• Be willing to help neighbors and the community in the event of a disaster, after assuring self and family safety
• Seek out and take advantage of opportunities to enhance emergency preparedness and disaster skills
• Be willing to participate in community events, drills and training others
• Participate in periodic team meetings to organize and maintain activities
• Review and adhere to CERT’s operating guidelines

Interested in joining CERT?

CERT Info Request 

CERT in Other Communities

Below is a selection of helpful CERT websites.

• CERT/Citizen Corps
• Virginia Department of Emergency Management — provides current information regarding grants, training and disaster preparedness
• Virginia Corps — information on Citizen Corps Councils, CERT programs, etc.
• Redondo Beach CERT — good links, includes a newsletter

History

The Community Emergency Response Team concept was developed and implemented by the City of Los Angeles Fire Department in 1985. The department recognized that citizens would very likely be on their own during the early stages of a catastrophic disaster and that, with some basic training in disaster survival and rescue skills, they would be better able to survive and help others until responders or other assistance could arrive.

More recently, east coast cities have recognized the success of the CERT concept and have trained teams to meet local challenges. Many coastal communities, particularly in hurricane-prone areas, have already trained thousands of people. CERT training has proven so beneficial that the Federal Emergency Management Agency has recommended that CERT training be done nationwide. The Emergency Management Institute, in cooperation with the Los Angeles Fire Department, has expanded CERT materials and made them applicable for all contemporary hazards.