LAFD CERT Continuing Education

During a disaster, such as an earthquake, you and your neighbors will be the first responders in your own communities until the professional first responders can arrive. What you do in the first few hours following a disaster will save lives. The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training program was created by the Los Angeles City Fire Department (LAFD) in 1985. The program teaches community members how to get and be prepared for a disaster, how to take care of themselves and their families, and how to safely work as a team to help their neighbors. This program is now taught in all 50 States and in other countries around the world. The Program in each State and County and City is managed by an official agency such as the Fire Department, Sherriff, or Emergency Management Department. The Program typically relies on volunteers to make it work. In LA City, the Battalion and Bureau Coordinators are volunteers who help recruit, put on drills and trainings, and organize teams.