The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program prepares everyday people to respond effectively when emergencies happen. Through hands-on training, participants learn practical skills to take care of themselves, support their families, and assist their neighbors during disasters—especially in the critical moments before professional responders can arrive.
CERT is built on a simple reality: during large-scale incidents like earthquakes, storms, or wildfires, emergency services may be delayed or overwhelmed. Trained community members can make a meaningful difference by providing immediate help, stabilizing situations, and working together until additional resources arrive.
In Clark County, CERT training is a comprehensive, multi-week course that combines classroom instruction with real-world scenarios and a final field exercise. Participants learn essential skills including disaster preparedness, fire safety, light search and rescue, disaster medical operations, communications, and team organization. These skills are designed to be practical, accessible, and useful in a wide range of emergencies.
CERT volunteers come from all backgrounds and experience levels. What they share is a commitment to preparedness and a desire to help build a safer, more resilient community. After completing training, participants can continue to build their skills through additional training opportunities and community outreach.