Community Emergency Response Team Basic Class
Schedule
Sat, 18 Oct, 2025 at 08:30 am to Sun, 19 Oct, 2025 at 05:00 pm
UTC-04:00Location
7478 Justice Dr, Gloucester, VA 23061-6127, United States | Gloucester, VA
This base CERT class teaches volunteers to prepare for and respond to disasters in their communities when professional first responders are delayed or overwhelmed. The training covers a range of essential skills, from fire safety to disaster medical operations. It's a great way to serve your community. Lunch will be provided each day. Class will be from 8:30AM-5PM both days.Core topics covered in a basic CERT class
Disaster preparedness: You learn about the potential hazards in your community, how they may impact you, and the steps to take to prepare your household and workplace.
Fire safety: The course covers how to identify and reduce fire hazards. You practice using a fire extinguisher, controlling utilities, and applying basic fire suppression strategies.
Disaster medical operations: This is typically broken into two units that cover immediate lifesaving techniques and advanced first aid:
Part 1: You learn how to perform rapid triage using the Simple Triage and Rapid Treatment (START) method, clear airways, control severe bleeding, and treat for shock.
Part 2: This portion focuses on patient assessment (head-to-toe), setting up a medical treatment area, and practicing basic first aid and sanitation.
Light search and rescue: You are taught search and rescue techniques, including how to safely enter and search a damaged building, lift heavy objects, and use a mechanical advantage. Rescuer safety is heavily emphasized throughout this unit.
CERT organization: You learn about the Incident Command System (ICS) and how to organize as a team during a disaster. The course covers chain of command and proper documentation procedures.
Disaster psychology: You learn how to recognize and manage disaster-related stress in both survivors and yourself as a rescue worker.
Terrorism and CERT: You are trained to recognize the signs of a terrorist event, understand the different types of weapons of mass destruction (WMD), and know the proper role for CERT volunteers in a terrorism-related incident.
Please fill out this CERT Interest Form or call (804) 693-1390
https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=HrajZPlV70emuO4uRONm0njKVDWDfgtEglU_QFnsJepUMlNDQk4wWlBJVVNNNDdQNTlYWEhYU1FZRi4u
