FairfaxCountyCERT.org
The Fairfax County Community Emergency Response Team
Neighbors Helping Neighbors
What is 'CERT'?
Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) is a program to make communities safer, more prepared, and when incidents occur, more resilient in recovery. CERT is a partnership between the Federal and Fairfax County Governments and is managed by the Fire and Rescue Department. The training prepares people to help themselves, their families, and their communities during major disasters when first responders can be delayed. The CERT motto is to “Do the greatest good for the greatest number."
Why get trained?
When and where is the training?
When and where is the training?
Be prepared to help during a personal or community-wide incident or disaster. CERT training is challenging, fun, and FREE. We provide you with a backpack with personal protective equipment and disaster response supplies to get you started on preparedness.
When and where is the training?
When and where is the training?
When and where is the training?
We offer CERT classes at various community locations throughout the county by request, from various business and community groups. Many of our Advanced and Continuing Education classes are held at the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Academy located at 4600 West Ox Road in Fairfax, VA.
Contact us for more information.
Who are the trainers?
When and where is the training?
Who can take CERT training?
CERT training is provided by the dedicated volunteer instructors of the CERT Program. many of which were just like you a few years ago. Occasionally, adjunct instructors of the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Academy are engaged to provide technically challenging courses.
Who can take CERT training?
Why train with Fairfax County CERT?
Who can take CERT training?
Anyone who lives, works or travels in Fairfax County, Virginia is eligible to take this FREE Emergency Response training. If you are:
- 18 years of age or older.
- 17 to 16 years old with parental or guardian permission.
- 15 to 13 years old with a parent or guardian also participating.
People of varying physical abilities and languages are welcome and can be accommodated.
Class Sizes are Limited
During the COVID pandemic this training is even more vital. But it must also be safe for you and our instructors. So the class sizes are limited and socially distanced to ensure your safety.
SIGN-UP TODAY!
To get started create an account. Click on the blue Sign Up button. Then click on the blue New Volunteer button to set up a Volunteer Profile. While you are in the system go ahead and register for the next CERT Basic Training Class
What will I learn?
Why train with Fairfax County CERT?
Why train with Fairfax County CERT?
CERT Basic Training course teaches regular individuals how to respond in a disaster to save lives. The skills taught can also apply with everyday emergencies as well. The course covers the following topics:
- Personal & Family Preparedness: Family emergency plans, prepare the home and emergency kits.
- Fire Safety and Utility Controls: How to stop small fires and prevent others.
- Disaster Medical Operations: Setting up and performing life-saving medical care.
- Light Search and Rescue: How and when to search for survivors.
- Disaster Psychology: How disasters effect everyone as a victim and responder.
- Team Organization: How to organize as part of the entire response team.
- Terrorism: What to watch out for.
This training consists of one 8-session course that occurs either once or twice a week in the evening at one location somewhere in the county. The location used determines whether the course starts at 6:30 pm or 7 pm and each session runs for 3 to 3.5 hours.
Why train with Fairfax County CERT?
Why train with Fairfax County CERT?
Why train with Fairfax County CERT?
- Get prepared for your family to survive the next disaster!
- Be ready to respond effectively during the next emergency.
- Develop knowledge and skills in several advanced classes including: radio communications, HAZMAT awareness,CPR/AED, Stop the Bleed, Wide-Area Search, First Aid, and many more. All training is FREE for CERT members!
- Participate in full-scale disaster drills; practice your skills on volunteer victims (after the pandemic)!
- Push your personal boundaries! Learn to save lives with duct tape and rags, pull a person from under a heavy beam and use a fire extinguisher to put out small fires!
- Participate to the level that you want. After completing your basic training there is no ongoing time or participation requirement .
Need Volunteer Hours?
Get your volunteer hours and while you take CERT training and learn important life-saving skills! We document your hours during CERT Basic Training and will provide certification of your hours toward your High School graduation or other volunteer program requirements. CERT Basic Training requires about 30 hours.
CALENDAR for those Interested in CERT
This calendar provides only information for events available to people interested in learning about and getting trained by the Fairfax County Community Emergency Response Team. Many more opportunities for FREE training and ways to get involved are available to you once you have completed the CERT Basic Training curriculum.
June 6, 9, 13, 2022
Emergency Preparedness Workshop
7:00pm-9:00pm
Two Zoom Sessions , One In-Person Session
Event Details
June 6, 9, 13, 2022
Emergency Preparedness Workshop
DISASTERS HAPPEN! Not all the time or everywhere, but sometimes and somewhere. Some disasters are predictable, occasionally they are unthin...
7:00pm-9:00pm
Two Zoom Sessions , One In-Person Session
June 22-August 3, 2022
CERT Basic Skills Class 171
6:00pm-9:30pm
Ft Belvoir Motorcycle Training Center, 5801 18th St, Fort Belvoir, VA 22060, USA
Event Details
June 22-August 3, 2022
CERT Basic Skills Class 171
This course teaches people to safely respond in the event of disasters where First Responders may be delayed. In major disasters where mass...
6:00pm-9:30pm
Ft Belvoir Motorcycle Training Center, 5801 18th St, Fort Belvoir, VA 22060, USA
July 26, 2022
Stop The Bleed
7:00pm-10:00pm
Fairfax County Public Safety Headquarters, 12099 Government Center Pkwy, Fairfax, VA 22035
Event Details
July 26, 2022
Stop The Bleed
STOP THE BLEED is a training program created to train bystanders in life-saving techniques. With the rise of mass shootings and active shoo...
7:00pm-10:00pm
Fairfax County Public Safety Headquarters, 12099 Government Center Pkwy, Fairfax, VA 22035
September 17, 2022
Stop The Bleed
7:00pm-10:00pm
Fairfax County Public Safety Headquarters, 12099 Government Center Pkwy, Fairfax, VA 22035
Event Details
September 17, 2022
Stop The Bleed
STOP THE BLEED is a training program created to train bystanders in life-saving techniques. With the rise of mass shootings and active shoo...
7:00pm-10:00pm
Fairfax County Public Safety Headquarters, 12099 Government Center Pkwy, Fairfax, VA 22035
Attending Classes
COVID Guidelines
Inclement Weather Policy
Inclement Weather Policy
Masks now optional in County Facilities
Effective February 28, 2022, Fairfax County will no longer require masks for employees and the public in county government facilities, except in specific locations, such as where health or medical services are provided. This decision is based on updated guidance issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Feb. 25 that includes three metrics for determining COVID-19 community levels – hospital bed use, hospital admissions and the total number of new COVID-19 cases in an area. According to these new metrics, Fairfax County’s current community level is low. Regardless of the COVID-19 community level, masking and social distancing may still be used for personal risk mitigation. The CDC recommends that individuals at high risk of complications from COVID-19 consider taking additional precautions. Those with symptoms or exposure should still get tested.
Inclement Weather Policy
Inclement Weather Policy
Inclement Weather Policy
Fairfax County CERT events will be cancelled when the Fairfax County Government is closed or when a non-Fairfax County site hosting the event is closed. The “open/closed” status of the Fairfax County Government can be found:
- Through Fairfax Alerts by signing up at https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/alerts
- On the county website, at https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/status
- On Instagram, at https://www.instagram.com/fairfaxcounty/
- On Twitter at https://twitter.com/fairfaxcounty
- On Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/fairfaxcounty
- By calling the Inclement Weather Line at 703-324-8661
All CERT events are subject to cancellation due to weather, scheduling, or other factors. CERT volunteers are advised to check their email in the days leading up to an event and check with the Event Lead if there is any question.
How we're sustained
You can help, whether you're a CERT or not!
CERT relies on our community to support our very active volunteer operations throughout Fairfax County. We always appreciate the support of our public-minded residents of Fairfax County and your donations to support this vital training and, award-winning, volunteer program. We are an IRS certified 501.C(3) non-profit that can accept fully deductible contributions to support our operations. A dollar can be the most powerful and effective tool, before a crisis.
Fairfax CERT in action
covid-19 / CORONAVIRUS resources
Fairfax County Health Dept.
Fairfax County Health Dept.
Fairfax County Health Dept.
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