Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training educates people about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their community and trains them in basic disaster response skills. Following an event when professional responders are not immediately available, those who have completed CERT training are better equipped to assist others in their neighborhood or workplace.
CERT Training is conducted through a hybrid system of 8 online lessons followed by in-person sessions.
Our Fall Semester is now open for registration. A date for the in-person has not been scheduled yet, however the online lessons are available. To register, click the button below and our CERT Coordinator will reach out to you to get started.
Greenville County CERT offers training courses open to the community at least twice a year (Spring & Fall).
Participants gain skills and hands-on experience in the following sessions:
- Disaster Preparedness
- Team Organization & Disaster Psychology
- Basic Fire Suppression
- Disaster Medical Operations 1: Triage & Treating Life Threatening Injuries
- Disaster Medical Operations 2: Assessment, Treatment, and Hygiene
- Light Search & Rescue
- Terrorism & Active Shooters
- Final Exercise
CERT Training Registration
The CERT Training will utilize both online and in-person, hands-on training. Participants will read training materials, watch videos, and answer questions using an online learning platform. Participants will then attend hands-on training classes designed to test their CERT skills (e.g., search and rescue, first aid).
You must complete the online portion and attend the training days in order to complete the course and receive your certification (unless you have prior approval).
If you have questions, email [email protected].
FAQs
People who go through CERT training have a better understanding of the potential threats to their home, workplace, and community. They have been trained to commence activities that will lessen the effects of a variety of hazards on themselves, their homes, and their workplace. If a disaster happens that overwhelms local response capability, CERT members can apply the training learned in the classroom and during exercises to give critical support to loved ones, neighbors, and associates in their immediate area until help arrives.
Local government prepares for everyday emergencies; however, there may be an emergency or disaster that can overwhelm the community’s immediate response capability. The primary reason for CERT training is to give people the decision-making, organizational, and practical skills to offer immediate assistance to family members, neighbors, and associates while waiting for help. While people will respond to others in need without the training, the goal of the CERT program is to help people do so effectively and efficiently without placing themselves in unnecessary danger.
Individuals who are interested in learning how to be better prepared for emergencies as well as groups like Neighborhood Watch, community organizations, communities of faith, school staff, workplace employees, and other groups that come together regularly for a common purpose. Training is available free of charge to individuals who live, work, or worship in Greenville County.
Visit the National CERT website at https://www.ready.gov/community-emergency-response-team