Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) is sponsored by the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department. Fairfax County CERT is under the auspices of FEMA. Fairfax County 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?
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?
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.
WHO ARE THE TRAINERS?
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?
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.
CALENDAR FOR THOSE INTERESTED IN CERT
This calendar provides 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.
March 23, 2023 CERT Basic Class 178 STARTS: 6:00PM
CERT teaches people how to safely respond to major emergencies to save lives, when first responders may be delayed. Over 8-sessions instructors prepare participants to work together to manage a local response and assist First Responders once they arrive. The course concludes with a disaster exercise to challenge your new skills. Class dates are; March 23, 30 April 06, 13, 20, 27, May 04 from 6:00 to 9:30 pm with a Final Exercise on Saturday morning, May 06, 2023. In-person Ft. Belvoir.
Please be sure to note the Prerequisites listed on the registration page.
Location: Motorcycle Training Center 5801 18th St Ft. Belvoir, VA 22060
Point of Contact: Gary Smith, gary105cert@gmail.com
Register: https://volunteer.fairfaxcounty.gov/custom/1380/opp_details/188338
April 8, 2023 STOP THE BLEED STARTS: 12:00PM
STOP THE BLEED is a training program created to train bystanders in life-saving techniques. With the rise of mass shootings and active shooter situations in schools, churches, public meeting places, and even office buildings, it is vital that more and more individuals are trained in the basics of life-saving techniques, such as how to apply a pressure bandage, how to properly use a tourniquet, or use a hemostatic agent such as QuikClot.
Location: Public Safety Headquarters rooms 2105 and 2107.
Parking: Behind 12055 Government Center Parkway (Herrity Building).
Note: Please arrive at the front entrance of the PSHQ, 12099 Government Center Parkway at 11:45am and not later than 12pm.
Point of Contact: Wayne V., trainingdiv@fairfaxcountycert.org
Register: https://volunteer.fairfaxcounty.gov/custom/1380/opp_details/187315
April 12, 2023 CERT Basic Class 179 STARTS: 7:00PM
CERT teaches people how to safely respond to major emergencies to save lives, when first responders may be delayed. Over 8-sessions instructors prepare participants to work together to manage a local response and assist First Responders once they arrive. The course concludes with a disaster exercise to challenge your new skills. Meets Monday and Wednesday evenings from 7 pm to 10 pm. Class are: April 12, 17, 19, 24, 26, May 1, 3 and the Final Exercise on Saturday, May 06, 2023.
Please be sure to note the Prerequisites listed on the registration page.
Location: Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Academy, 4600 West Ox Rd, Fairfax, VA 22030
Contact Info: Wayne Vick trainingdiv@fairfaxcountycert.org
Register: https://volunteer.fairfaxcounty.gov/custom/1380/opp_details/188450
May 13, 2023 STOP THE BLEED STARTS: 12:00PM
STOP THE BLEED is a training program created to train bystanders in life-saving techniques. With the rise of mass shootings and active shooter situations in schools, churches, public meeting places, and even office buildings, it is vital that more and more individuals are trained in the basics of life-saving techniques, such as how to apply a pressure bandage, how to properly use a tourniquet, or use a hemostatic agent such as QuikClot.
Location: Public Safety Headquarters rooms 2105 and 2107.
Parking: Behind 12055 Government Center Parkway (Herrity Building).
Note: Please arrive at the front entrance of the PSHQ, 12099 Government Center Parkway at 11:45 am and not later than 12 pm.
Point of Contact: Wayne V., trainingdiv@fairfaxcountycert.org
Register: https://volunteer.fairfaxcounty.gov/custom/1380/opp_details/187315
The Fairfax County Department of Emergency Management and Security (DEMS) offers preparedness events and training to help County residents develop the skills to handle a disaster.
March 25, 2023 Preparedness Awareness Weekend 11:00am to 2:00pm
Preparedness Awareness Weekend (PAW) empowers families to prepare for sudden emergencies both natural and man-made. Our program provides hands-on, developmental training in:
- Hands-on CPR
- Disaster meals
- Family emergency planning
- Assembling a disaster kit
- Free Hearing and Eye Sight Check
The event will have a display of emergency kits from infant through adult, including pets and individuals with special needs. Families will also learn how to make an emergency plan (evacuation, emergency contact, etc.). Community partners will come and give different information to families about keeping their families safe for any emergency that might arise in our community.
Location: Providence Community Center, 3001 Vaden Drive, Fairfax, VA, 22031
April 12, 2023 Introduction To Emergency Preparedness Workshop 6:30pm to 7:30pm
Are you prepared for emergencies? Join DEMS for a one-hour workshop to learn more about preparing yourself and your family for an emergency. Learn the basics of how to put together an emergency plan, making an emergency kit, staying informed during an emergency, and how to get involved.
Location: Providence Community Center, 3001 Vaden Drive, Fairfax, VA, 22031
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Registration: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/introduction-to-emergency-preparedness-tickets-489537147787
April 19, 2023 Until Help Arrives 6:00pm to 9:00pm
Life-threatening emergencies can happen fast, and emergency responders aren’t always nearby. You may be able to save a life by taking simple actions immediately. You Are the Help Until Help Arrives. The Until Help Arrives program was developed to educate and empower civilian bystanders to take action and provide life-saving care when they are the first on the scene during an emergency.
Location: North County Governmental Center, 1801 Cameron Glen Drive, Reston, VA 20190
Registration: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/until-help-arrives-reston-tickets-565604547427
April 26, 2023 Until Help Arrives 6:30pm to 9:30pm
Life-threatening emergencies can happen fast, and emergency responders aren’t always nearby. You may be able to save a life by taking simple actions immediately. You Are the Help Until Help Arrives. The Until Help Arrives program was developed to educate and empower civilian bystanders to take action and provide life-saving care when they are the first on the scene during an emergency.
Location: Providence Community Center 3001 Vaden Drive Fairfax, VA 22031
Registration: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/until-help-arrives-tickets-489604037857
ATTENDING CLASSES
Inclement Weather Policy
Fairfax County CERT events will be canceled 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.
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.