CERT

Community Emergency Response Team

Get Trained

A trained community is a better prepared community! Learn how you and your family can help after an emergency or disaster by taking advantage of one or more of the following training opportunities.

Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)

What is CERT?

Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training is a program that teaches essential disaster management and response skills to prepare individual citizens and their families before a disaster strikes. The Department of Emergency Management sponsors the training and educates residents to ensure that the population has the best possible chance of surviving and recovering from a disaster. CERT trained individuals can better assist their families, neighbors, and communities until first responders can reach affected areas after a disaster.  

Training consists of 16 classroom hours and a 4 hour field exercise to test your skills. CERT training is a free community service by the City and County of Honolulu and the Department of Emergency Management.

Topics Covered:

  • Damage assessment
  • Warning and notification
  • Evacuation
  • Identify and assist those with access and functional needs
  • Emergency triage and first aid
  • Search and rescue
  • Preparedness
  • Periodic reporting to City
  • Suppress small fires
  • Emergency utility control

Who?

Anyone with a sense of community can become a part of CERT. Becoming a CERT member will teach you about crucial life-safety support techniques. In addition, CERT training will teach you how to respond safely in a post-disaster environment.

Once you complete the training, you can join an existing team in the community or start your own, or use your skills to prepare your family better. A key factor for CERTs is the ability to spontaneously organize and activate themselves in a major disaster. If a significant disaster occurs, phones and other communications channels may be interrupted. CERTs will know where to go and how to organize their efforts and get to work without any specific order being issued. A CERT member’s first responsibility is to themselves, their family, and their community. Find your local CERT team or Community Preparedness Group to get involved! 

When?

Click on the following link to register for an upcoming CERT training: 

https://www.honolulu.gov/dem/involved/get-trained.html

If you require special assistance, an auxiliary aid and/or service to participate in this CERT class (e.g. a sign language interpreter; interpreter for language other than English, access for a wheelchair, etc.), please contact John M Cummings III at 808-723-8960 or email your request to jcummings@honolulu.gov at least five (5) working days prior to the event.

For questions or information on how your business or community organization can sponsor a CERT course for your organization, please email dem@honolulu.gov

https://youtu.be/80twsCr7oyc
Community Emergency Response Team members from California, Florida, and Texas explain how they come together to prepare their communities and assist their neighbors during emergencies. Learn more about your local Community Emergency Response Teams at https://www.honolulu.gov/dem/involved/get-trained.html

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