February 9, 2010
SuMoTuWeThFrSa
Community Emergency Response Team

For questions and information on emergency preparedness in Thousand Oaks, please contact Grahame Watts at gwatts@toaks.org

How do I register and what is the cost for CERT training?
All classes are taught by trained emergency personnel, including firefighters and emergency medical services personnel, with expertise in disaster management. CERT is provided free of charge within Ventura County to anyone 18 years of age or older. For a schedule of upcoming Thousand Oaks classes, click CERT Class Schedule. If you are interested in the Thousand Oaks CERT Program, and would like to be placed on the waiting list for future classes, send an email with your name, residence address, email address, and phone number to mseminario@toaks.org Thousand Oaks CERT Graduate Classes 6:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Do I have to be a Thousand Oaks resident to register for the CERT Program?
Although preference goes to Thousand Oaks residents, if you are a resident of Ventura County, you are qualified to attend classes for this program as well as in other communities.

Click on the links below for CERT training offered in neighboring cities:

What is CERT?
Local government prepares for everyday emergencies. However, during a large disaster, the number and scope of incidents can overwhelm conventional emergency services. The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program is designed to educate Thousand Oaks residents and businesses about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their area and instructs them in basic disaster response skills. Using the skills learned in the classroom and during exercises, CERT members can give critical support to their families, neighbors, and community immediately following a disaster when residents may initially be on their own and emergency services may not be available to help.

The training covers basic life saving skills that are important to know in a disaster situation and provides valuable support to the City, neighborhoods, and emergency response personnel. Click here for training highlights.

Why was the CERT Program developed?
The CERT training program was developed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and modeled after the original 1985 program used by the City of Los Angeles Fire Department. The purpose of the CERT program is to create a well-trained citizen emergency work force which is vital in the immediate aftermath of disaster situations when the number and scope of incidents overwhelm conventional emergency services.

Why do the CERT Training?
CERT members are primarily used in their own neighborhoods. CERT training means you are as ready as you can be to help yourself, your family, and your neighborhood, and serves as the basic level of training for all community-based disaster volunteer teams in Ventura County. In a disaster, normal activities will be disrupted, police, fire, 9-1-1, and ambulances will be quickly overwhelmed, and may not be able to respond for 72 hours. Residents need to be able to take care of themselves until the professional emergency responders arrive. One goal of the CERT program is to help residents respond to and assist others in need and do so effectively without placing themselves in unnecessary danger.

What type of training do CERT members receive?
Over the course of six weeks (2.5 hours one evening per week, and an 8-hour simulation on Saturday during the final week), CERT members receive training in:

  • earthquake and other emergency preparedness;
  • disaster fire suppression techniques and extinguishers;
  • basic first aid and triage (bleeding, shock, airway obstruction);
  • light search and rescue operations;
  • communications;
  • utility control (how and when to shut them off);
  • damage assessment;
  • recognize potential hazards (i.e. hazardous materials);
  • disaster psychology;
  • organizing and managing a neighborhood team.