Fairfax County Community Emergency Response Team CERT is a national program created by FEMA 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 County’s Fire and Rescue Department.  Local CERT programs train and organize teams of volunteers to assist their families, neighbors, co-workers, and other community members during emergencies when professional responders may not be immediately available to provide assistance. CERT volunteers also support their communities by organizing, promoting, and participating in emergency preparedness event, activities, and projects.  To become a CERT volunteer you must attend a 24-hour CERT Basic Training course.

WHY GET TRAINED? 

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?

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?

• 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.

Contact us for more information.