Contact Jodi.Blackwood@cresa.wa.gov for additional information
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Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training is an opportunity for people of all ages, sizes, and physical abilities to learn valuable basic skills needed during an emergency.
Whether you are interested in learning how to take care of yourself and your family, your neighborhood, or taking an active role in community preparedness, the CERT training will help increase your confidence and provide peace of mind.
Spring 2026 Training Classes
Thank you for your interest in the CERT program. Our Basic Training course includes six class sessions followed by a final drill.
Attendance at all seven sessions is required to earn a completion certificate and to take part in CERT Clark County, WA activities and additional training.
Participants must be at least 18 years old, or 17 when accompanied by an adult.
There is no upper age limit and individuals of all abilities are welcome.
The fee for the class is $35 per person
All participants must be Clark County residents.
The dates for our two Spring classes are listed below. Registration for both classes will open at 9:00 am on Tuesday, March 17, 2026. A link to the application and instructions for payment will be posted at that time.
Applications and payment will not be accepted prior to March 17th.
Please feel free to share this information with your neighbors, friends, and families. Remember, the more people in a neighborhood who are trained in disaster response, the stronger our resiliency. If I may answer any questions, feel free to contact me.
Thank you again for your interest!
Jodi Blackwood
Program Manager
jodi.blackwood@cresa.wa.gov
Class 1 - Battle Ground
4/1 Weds. Unit 1 Basic Preparedness
4/8 Weds. Unit 2 CERT Organization & Radio Communications
4/15 Weds. Unit 5 Disaster Psychology & Unit 8 Terrorism
4/18 Sat. Unit 6 Fire Safety & Unit 7 Light Search & Rescue Ops
4/22 Weds. Unit 3 Med Ops 1
4/29 Weds. Unit 4 Med Ops 2
5/2 Sat. Final Drill & CERT in Clark County, WA
Evening classes will be held 6:30 to 9:00 pm
Location: Fire District 3, Station 31
17718 NE 159th St., Brush Prairie, WA 98606
Saturday class locations TBA
4/18 9:00 am to 2:00 pm
5/2 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
Class 2 - Vancouver
4/2 Thurs. Unit 1 Basic Preparedness
4/9 Thurs. Unit 2 CERT Organization & Radio Communications
4/16 Thurs. Unit 5 Disaster Psychology & Unit 8 Terrorism
4/18 Sat. Unit 6 Fire Safety & Unit 7 Light Search & Rescue Ops
4/23 Thurs. Unit 3 Med Ops 2
4/30 Thurs. Unit 4 Med Ops 1
5/2 Sat. Final Drill & CERT in Clark County
Evening classes will be held 6:30 to 9:00 pm
Location: Vancouver Fire Dept. Station 10
1501 NE 164th Ave., Vancouver, WA 98684
Saturday class locations TBA
4/18 9:00 am to 2:00 pm
5/2 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
Thank you to the Vancouver Fire Department, Clark County Fire District 6, Fire District 3, and Clark-Cowlitz Fire Rescue for their support of CERT Clark County, WA!
CERT Training requires a commitment of 24+ hours for classroom and field training, along with approximately one hour of reading homework each week, culminating in a final field exercise.
Registrants must pass a background check and sign a code of conduct.
Classes are typically offered one night a week and include two Saturday sessions; attendance is required at all classes for certification.
The following topics are included in each CERT Basic Training Class:
Session 1: Intro to CERT & Basic Emergency Preparedness
Session 2: CERT Organization & Disaster Communications
Session 3: Disaster Psychology & Terrorism
Session 4: Fire Safety & Utility Controls and Light Search & Rescue Operations
Session 5: Disaster Medical Operations 1
Session 6: Disaster Medical Operations 2
Session 7: Final Drill & CERT in Clark Co. -- the Practical Application
Through their participation in neighborhood activities and events, they assist in preparedness outreach and public education.
CERT volunteers help build relationships between the community and emergency responders.
The CERT program educates volunteers of all ages, ranging from stay-at-home parents, students, seniors, and individuals working full-time in how to prepare for the hazards that may impact their area and how to assist their neighborhood in the event of a disaster.
CERT volunteers are trained to:
Check on the safety and well-being of their neighbors
Suppress small fires using a fire extinguisher
Conduct light urban search and rescue
Provide emergency medical aid and psychological comfort to survivors
Organize and direct other individuals who offer assistance
CERT Deployment & Activation
As we continue to build our CERT program and increase our pool of CERT volunteers, we are partnering with Clark Regional Emergency Services Agency (CRESA) in its efforts to build community resiliency in Clark County. Through public outreach activities, events, and group presentations on emergency preparedness, we endeavor to show people how they can work together to support themselves and each other in the event of a disaster.
While we currently do not have deployable neighborhood CERT teams, we are developing knowledgeable groups of people in neighborhoods that may be led by a CERT volunteer.
Once you have completed your Basic CERT Training class, you will be welcome to join us for our additional training sessions. Topics include:
Points of Distribution (PODS)
Evacuation Point & Assembly Area Training
Shelter Training
Call Center Training
Traffic Control Certification
CERT volunteers may also be called upon to support CRESA's Emergency Operation Center (EOC) during an activation by helping implement any and/or all of the above training exercises into a real-life emergency situation.
Here are links to additional resources for Emergency Preparedness information:
Clark Regional Emergency Services Agency (CRESA) https://www.cresa.wa.gov/services/emergency-management/emergency-preparedness
Sign Up for Emergency Alerts https://member.everbridge.net/453003085616336/login
Emergency Management Alerts & Warnings https://www.cresa911.org/206/Alert-And-Warning
Disasters & Emergencies https://www.ready.gov/
Prepare In A Year https://www.cresa.wa.gov/documents/Prepare-in-a-Year-English.pdf
Centers for Disease Control & Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/foodwater/prepare.html
Thank you to our sponsoring agencies and organizations!
Clark Regional Emergency Services Agency (CRESA)
Clark County Fire District 6
Vancouver Fire Dept.
Clark Cowlitz Fire Rescue
Clark County Fire District 3
Citizen Corps Clark County, WA
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