Carlsbad Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)

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About

The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program is a nationally supported, locally implemented initiative that teaches people how to better prepare themselves for hazards that may affect their communities. Since 1993, CERT trains the public in basic disaster response skills such as team organization, disaster medical operations, fire safety, and light search and rescue. The ability for CERT volunteers to perform these activities frees up professional responders to focus their efforts on more complex, essential, and critical tasks.

This cost-free program teaches community members how to prepare for emergencies, including wildfires, and respond effectively when disaster strikes. The Carlsbad Fire Department provides an annual CERT academy to community volunteers.

CERT Academy

All CERT Academy classes are held at the Carlsbad Safety Training Center.

The CERT Academy training aligns to the FEMA CERT Basic Curriculum. Participants will receive training in:

Disaster Preparedness
Disaster Medical Operations
Fire Safety
Light Search and Rescue
Terrorism Awareness
Radio Communications

How to Apply

Please email kim.young@carlsbadca.gov to be added to the interest list for the 2026 CERT academy.

Check back for program updates or follow us on Instagram @carlsbadfiredepartment to stay informed.

Requirements

Applicants must be at least 18 years old
Complete an application and submit by email to Kim.Young@carlsbadca.gov
All applications will be reviewed, and selected applicants will be contacted by Carlsbad Fire Department staff
Selected participants must complete a Live Scan background check

Carlsbad CERT

Carlsbad CERT serves a vital role in the emergency preparedness and public safety of our community. Per Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) guidelines and local best practices, the stated purpose of Carlsbad CERT is:

To educate volunteers about preparing themselves for hazards that may affect their communities.
To provide training in basic disaster response skills, e.g. fire safety.
To provide a meaningful opportunity for Carlsbad residents to serve their neighborhoods, city and region.

Given the region’s persistent threat from wildfire, and the potential risks from earthquake, pandemic flu or other natural or man-made disasters, the Carlsbad Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) volunteer program plays a vital role in the City of Carlsbad’s goal to advance emergency preparedness. When large-scale incidents occur, CERT members may provide neighbor-helping-neighbor assistance before the arrival of Carlsbad first responders.

Since its inception in 2008, approximately 300 CERT volunteers have completed training. Carlsbad CERT volunteers are trained in basic first aid, light search and rescue and small fire suppression, and are closely associated with Carlsbad’s Fire Department. CERT volunteer activities are directed by the city’s Assistant Director of Emergency Services. They play a large role in community safety and emergency preparedness awareness and public outreach. Carlsbad CERT’s purpose is to assist the Carlsbad community and residents in emergency preparedness and response. CERT volunteers may not self-deploy or activate without proper approval.

The program is geared toward Carlsbad residents.

Organization

Carlsbad CERT is organized according the the NIMS / ICS structure. This is the same organizational structure used by fire and police departments on any major incident. All CERT team members receive the same training and are cross-trained to fill the various jobs required by each section within the ICS organization. Administratively, CERT members are assigned to their preferred section or to that section that best matches their skill set.

The ICS organization comprises five major functional areas.

Coordination

The Coordination Section develops incident objectives, reviews the CERT incident response plan, and ensures that every CERT member is working in a safe environment.

Administration

Administration Section is primarily responsible for ensuring proper daily documentation of personnel time and activity. The admin section also works closely with other sections to ensure proper documentation of resource usage. The administrative section plans for staffing future shifts and personnel rotations.

Planning

Planning is responsible for collecting, evaluating and disseminating information pertaining to the incident. This section maintains information on the current and forecasted situation, as well as the status of resources assigned to the incident. Planning prepares the CERT Incident Action Plan, develops incident maps and keeps other team members informed of the progress of the incident and response activities.

Operations

Operations is responsible for managing tasks and operations at the incident site until the arrival of professional first responders.

Logistics

Logistics is responsible for all support requirements needed to facilitate effective and efficient incident management, including ordering resources from off-incident locations. It also coordinates facilities, transportation, supplies, equipment, fuel, food services, communications and information technology support.

Training

cert training CERT members are trained in basic emergency response skills which are used to assist themselves, their families, and neighbors when a major disaster strikes and professional first responders have not yet arrived.

CERT training covers basic life and property-saving skills that are important to know in a disaster when emergency services are not immediately available.

The CERT Academy covers:

Disaster preparedness
Fire safety
Disaster medical operations
Light search and rescue operations
CERT organization
Terrorism and CERT
Disaster psychology

Class sessions are held at the City of Carlsbad Safety Center located at 2560 Orion Way.

Carlsbad, CA