Applications Open for Community Emergency Response Team Training

Page updated on August 7, 2024 at 10:21 AM
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The City of Alexandria is now accepting applications for its Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training. This free program, designed to prepare Alexandria community members for emergencies, offers classes for both high school students and adults.  

What Will I Learn? 
The CERT Basic Training Course is based on the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)’s national curriculum, culminating in a hands-on disaster response exercise. The nine units cover disaster preparedness, CERT organization, disaster medical operations, disaster psychology, fire safety and utility controls, light search and rescue operations, CERT and terrorism, and a course review with a final exam. Upon completion, participants will learn about additional training and volunteer opportunities. 

Teen CERT Program Application 
High school students (grades 9-12) who live or attend school in the City of Alexandria can apply by filling out the Teen CERT Fall 2024 application form. The application deadline is 5 p.m. on Friday, September 13.  

An informational Zoom webinar and Q&A session for teens and parent guardians will be held on Wednesday, August 28, from 6 to 7 p.m. 

The curriculum includes approximately 30 hours of training over the course of 6 weeks, running Wednesday, September 18, through Saturday, October 26. The full course schedule is available in the application. 

Adult CERT Program 
Adults 18+ who live, work, or own a business in the City of Alexandria can fill out the Adult CERT program application. The registration deadline is 5 p.m. on Friday, September 6. The training spans seven weeks and includes both in-person and Zoom sessions. 

Fall 2024 classes will be held each Tuesday evening starting September 10 and ending October 22 from 7 to 10 p.m.  The final course exercise is on Saturday, October 26 from 8:30 to 1:30 p.m. The full course schedule will be available when registering. 

For more information about the CERT program, visit alexandriava.gov/CERT.  

For reasonable disability accommodation, contact Kevin Coleman at kevin.coleman@alexandriava.gov or call 703.746.5267. 

If you prefer communication in another language, free interpretation and translation services are available to you. Please email LanguageAccess@alexandriava.gov or call 703.746.3960.