Please stay tuned for Spring 2024 training information.  Scroll down to the Training and Course Application Information section for course dates and registration instructions.  Please note there are different registration processes for the Adult CERT program (18+) and Teen CERT program (9-12 graders).

The City of Alexandria CERT program was established in 2003 and recently celebrated its 20th anniversary in Fall 2023. CERT is a national program comprised of volunteers trained in disaster

preparedness and emergency response. Alexandria CERT is administered by the City’s Fire Department, Office of Emergency Management.

CERT educates you to prepare yourself, your family, and your neighbors to address hazards that may impact our community and provides you the tools necessary to confidently respond to emergency situations. You will learn basic disaster response skills such as how to conduct post-disaster damage assessments, triage survivors, provide basic medical care, extinguish small fires, and work effectively as a team with other CERT volunteers. When emergencies occur, CERT volunteers serve as a critical resource to support first responders by providing immediate assistance and helping organize others to support disaster needs. CERT volunteers also participate in non-emergency projects that help improve the safety and resiliency of the community.

The CERT Basic course comprises approximately 24 hours of training including a small-scale hands-on disaster response exercise.  The CERT material is based on a national curriculum set by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).  The nine units are as follows:

Unit 1: Disaster Preparedness

Unit 2: CERT Organization

Unit 3: Disaster Medical Operations (Part 1)

Unit 4: Disaster Medical Operations (Part 2)

Unit 5: Disaster Psychology

Unit 6: Fire Safety and Utility Controls

Unit 7: Light Search and Rescue Operations

Unit 8: CERT and Terrorism

Unit 9: Course Review, Final Exam, and Disaster Hands-on Exercise

The City of Alexandria offers Adult CERT classes to those who are 18 years of age or older who live, work, or own a business in the City of Alexandria and Teen CERT classes to Alexandria high school students. The City's first Teen CERT class was offered in fall 2023 and is open to students attending public or private high schools in the City of Alexandria. See below for additional information about CERT and how to apply.

The first step to becoming a CERT volunteer is to attend the CERT Basic Training Course (see CERT curriculum above). Throughout the course, you will learn how to prepare yourself, your family, and your community for a disaster. Once you complete the FREE training, additional training and volunteer opportunities will be shared with you.

If you are interested in being better prepared, receiving FREE training, learning more about your community, volunteering during an emergency, and/or helping Alexandria become better prepared, you are encouraged to register for an upcoming CERT class.

The City of Alexandria is proud to have launched the City’s first ever Teen Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program in Fall 2023 graduating a total of 21 students!  The Alexandria Teen CERT program is open to any City of Alexandria 9th-12th grader who lives in or attends school - public, private, or homeschool - in the City.

Teen CERT will follow the same curriculum as the Adult CERT program.  The training is designed to be informative and interactive. Throughout the training, you will have the opportunity to hear from emergency response subject matter experts from across the City and participate in hands-on exercises.

Expanding our existing CERT program to teens will better prepare the City, increase our community’s resiliency, and better connect teens with emergency preparedness training and volunteer opportunities. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to join the City’s Teen CERT program, to learn more about your community, and help Alexandria become better prepared.

Why should I join?

• FREE training
• Earn volunteer hours
• Learn new skills
• Access opportunities to become involved in your community
• FREE emergency preparedness kit upon course completion

Registration has closed for Fall 2023 Adult and Teen CERT classes.  Details for Spring 2024 classes will be posted here once finalized!

Adult CERT

Audience:  Individuals 18+ who live, work, or own a business in the City of Alexandria

Registration: TBD

Training dates/times:  TBD

Training location:  Mix of in-person and Zoom sessions. Full schedule will be shared with course participants

Teen CERT 

Audience:  Students attending public or private high schools in the City of Alexandria.

Registration: TBD

Training dates/times:  TBD

Training location:  TBD

CERT program: For specific questions about the CERT program or to express interest in an upcoming class, please contact the CERT Coordinator at coordinator@alexandriavacert.org.

Teen CERT: For general CERT questions or to inquire about the Teen CERT program, please contact the CERT Program Manager Kevin Coleman at kevin.coleman@alexandriava.gov or (703) 746-5267.

We look forward to you joining the Alexandria CERT team!

The City of Alexandria is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, as amended. To request a reasonable accommodation, email kevin.coleman@alexandriava.gov or call (703) 746-5267.