Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)

Course Overview

The CERT course is a free 24-hour program offered to the community members 18 years of age and older which provides them with the basic emergency response skills that are essential in the critical time after a disaster and before emergency responders arrive on scene. Instructors provide hands-on training in such critical areas as:

• Basic Emergency Medical Skills
• Emergency Communications
• Fire Safety and Suppression
• Disaster Preparedness
• Disaster Psychology
• Search and Rescue Techniques

Graduates earn a certificate and CERT emergency gear including a backpack and helmet. View the course syllabus (PDF).

Online CERT Refresher Classes

You can now take free online CERT refresher classes on your own schedule. If your schedule does not allow you to attend in-person classes, then you are welcome to take these classes. Once all online classes are completed, you will be offered the opportunity to practice and demonstrate hands-on skills at an in-person event in order to obtain a 317 – Chesterfield CERT Certificate.

Register for an online CERT course (hosted by the University of Utah):

• Go to “Online Training - CERT 2021 en”
• Click the red “Register” button
• Select “Chesterfield County VA CERT” as your CERT organization; this is important, as we will see your completed certificate dates if you select us correctly
• To access the course, click on “My Courses” on the menu to your left; to log in at a later date, please use your email and the default password "training"

If you need any help, contact Chesterfield CERT or use the online support help (chatbot in bottom right of screen).

Existing Members

After graduation, make sure to enter your volunteer hours for training, exercises and public outreach events. If your personal or contact information changes, please email CERT. You can also view the CERT Code of Conduct (PDF).

We welcome CERT members who have been trained in other localities and are now in the Chesterfield area. If you would like to be added to our CERT team, please email the CERT Team all of your contact information with a copy of your CERT Certificate of Completion.

Record Your Volunteer Hours

If an event occurred outside of the Chesterfield jurisdiction (indicated on the CERT sign-up), please record your volunteer hours. If the event occurred within the Chesterfield jurisdiction, your hours will be automatically recorded by your program manager.

Additional Training

These courses do not replace the 24 hour in person CERT Basic class. These classes are for additional training and knowledge. Follow the instructions on any of the online FEMA courses to request a student ID.

You will only have to request an ID one time and that ID is necessary to take the final test for a certificate of completion. All CERT members are encouraged to email the CERT Team with certificates of completion.

If you do not have copies of your FEMA IS certificates, then you can visit the EMI Student Portal to download a transcript PDF. Have your FEMA Student ID# and city of birth ready, as it will be required to log in.

Online Courses

• IS-10.a - Animals in Disasters: Awareness and Preparedness
• IS 11.a - Animals in Disasters: Community Planning
• IS 22 - Are You Ready?: An In-depth Guide to Citizen Preparedness
• IS-100 - Intro to Incident Command System
• IS 244.b - Developing and Managing Volunteers
• IS 288- The Role of Volunteer Agencies in Emergency Management
• IS-317 - Introduction to Community Emergency Response Teams
• IS 324.a - Community Hurricane Preparedness
• IS 394.a - Protecting Your Home or Small Business in Disaster
• IS-700 - National Incident Management System (NIMS) An Introduction

CERT - Level 2

Level 2 CERT members will be called upon to assist in response and recovery efforts including sheltering, logistics, outreach and amateur radio. Requirements for Level 2 CERT include:

• 24 Hour CERT Basic Class
• Background Check
• CERT Member Must Work or Reside in Chesterfield County
• CPR/AED/First Aid
• Disaster Psychology
• HIPPA Training
• IS-100
• IS-700
• Specialty Training in Functional Area

Opportunities will be offered throughout the year to enter the Level 2 program.

Level 2 Specializations

There are five CERT level 2 streams in which you can request to specialize. Choose up to three options from the list below and email CERT.

• Administration
• Public Outreach
• Sheltering
• Search and Rescue
• Amateur Radio

Request CERT Members as Volunteers

To request CERT members as volunteers to assist with your community event, complete the CERT Volunteer Request form.