Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)

The City of Yorba Linda, in conjunction with the Orange County Sheriff's Department, Orange County Fire Authority, the City of Brea, and the City of Placentia, has established a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program to educate people about disaster preparedness. Although the City of Yorba Linda provides a tri-city training program with the City of Brea and City of Placentia, graduates are managed separately by each respective jurisdiction.


The Yorba Linda CERT program educates people about disaster preparedness and trains them in basic disaster response skills. The goal of Yorba Linda CERT is to provide citizens with the basic skills to protect themselves, their family, and neighbors in the aftermath of a disaster. As a CERT volunteer, you can help by responding to the immediate needs of your neighborhood following an event when professional emergency responders are not immediately available to help.

CERT logo

Requirements

CERT is a component of the United States Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and Citizen Corps Program. CERT training is provided using a nationally recognized curriculum approved by FEMA. The course requires 20 hours of training which is composed of hands-on and classroom instruction given by certified professionals in emergency management, as well as authorized fire and police service personnel. All courses must be completed to be considered a graduate of the program. CERT training is provided free of charge, but pre-registration is required.

Training Topics

  • CERT Team Organization
  • Disaster Medical Operations
  • Disaster Psychology
  • Fire Safety
  • Light Search and Rescue
  • Terrorism Awareness

neXt training session

The Fall 2018 CERT classes will begin on October 2 and will be held at the Yorba Linda Community Center. View the complete schedule below, or view a printable class schedule (PDF). 

Class Title Topics Covered Date/Time Location
Class 1
Unit 1
Unit 6
 Orientation,
Disaster Preparedness,
CERT Organization/ICS
 Tuesday, October 2, 2018
6:30-10 p.m.
 Yorba Linda Community Center
Class 2
Unit 3
 Disaster Medical Operations, Part I Thursday, October 4, 2018
6:30-10 p.m.
 Yorba Linda Community Center
Class 3
Unit 4
 Disaster Medical Operations, Part II Tuesday, October 9, 2018
6:30-10 p.m.
 Yorba Linda Community Center
Class 4
Unit 7
Unit 8
 Communications,
Disaster Psychology, 
Terrorism Awareness
 Tuesday, October 16, 2018
6:30-10 p.m.
 Yorba Linda Community Center
Class 5
Unit 2
 Fire Suppression Thursday, October 18, 2018
6:30-10 p.m.
 City of Brea Corporation Yard
Class 6
Unit 5
Unit 9
 Light Search & Rescue Ops,
CERT Final Exam,
Disaster Simulation Drill, 
Graduation
 Saturday, October 20, 2018
9 a.m.-2 p.m.
 City of Brea Corporation Yard

Registration Information

To enroll, complete the online CERT Registration Form or submit the registration form (PDF) to City Hall. For additional information, please email Mike Ferdig, Emergency Management Coordinator, or call 714-961-7104.