CERT

The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training class training and volunteer program offers members of the public an opportunity to learn basic hands-on disaster response techniques. The program is a 20-hour class that covers:

• Disaster preparedness
• Fire safety
• Light search and rescue
• Team organization
• Disaster psychology
• Terrorism response
• Disaster medical operations

Upon completion of the class, participants have the option to become a Chicago Citizen Corps CERT volunteer and assist professional emergency services following a disaster. Past participants have played a role in emergency exercises and assisted the City during the recovery and evacuee welcome efforts after Hurricane Katrina.

The CERT program started in California in the mid-1990s due to the need to educate and train residents on how to deal with wildfires and earthquakes. Chicago began its program in March of 2005.

The training is free to participants, and funded by the Department of Homeland Security. OEMC holds two training sessions per year, and in 2009 we intend to host up to 4 series in cooperation with BOMA and the CPD. For more information or to sign up for the CERT program contact chicagocitizencorps@cityofchicago.org.