The CERT program is an all-risk, all-hazard training, designed to educate residents in the community about disaster preparedness. CERT is a valuable program that can help you protect yourself, your family, your neighbors, and your neighborhood in an emergency.

CERT members learn about the different hazards with the potential to impact the city of Chula Vista and train in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations.

Using the training learned in the classroom and during exercises, CERT members can assist others in their neighborhood and/or workplace following an event when professional first responders are not immediately available to help.

CERT members also are encouraged to support emergency response agencies by taking a more active role in emergency preparedness projects in their community.

CERT Roles and Responsibilities

CERT members perform various roles in emergency preparedness, response and recovery. These activities are carried out in support of and at the direction of first responders. Specific roles and responsibilities include, but may not be limited to:

• Basic first aid
• Assist neighbors in the event of an emergency    
• Family emergency preparedness procedures
• Emergency preparedness support and outreach
• Emergency Operations Center support  
• Emergency shelter and logistics support
• Emergency response support (i.e. debris removal, sandbagging, evacuation, search and rescue, etc.)