Contact info@CERTClarkCountyWA.com for additional information.

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 2024 Training Classes

Thank you for your interest in the CERT program. The Basic Training class consists of seven sessions and a final drill; all eight sessions must be attended to receive a course completion certificate and to participate in activities and further training with the CERT Clark County, WA group. Minimum age is 18, or 17 with an adult. There is no maximum age. 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 19, 2024. Additional details will be posted in February, so please check back. Applications and payment will not be accepted prior to March 19th. 

People of all skills and abilities are encouraged to participate. If I may answer any questions, feel free to contact me. 


Jodi Blackwood

Program Manager

certprogrammgr@gmail.com 

Class 1 - Vancouver

4/11  Thurs.          Unit 1 Basic Preparedness

4/18  Thurs.         Unit 2 CERT Organization &  Radio Communications

4/25  Thurs.         Unit 5 Disaster Psychology &  Unit 8 Terrorism 

4/27  Sat.         Unit 6 Fire Safety &  Unit 7 Light Search & Rescue Ops

5/2    Thurs.         Unit 3 Med Ops 1

5/9    Thurs.          Unit 4 Med Ops 2

5/16  Thurs.          CERT in Clark County, WA

5/18  Sat.              Final Drill

Evening classes will be held  6:30 to 9:00 pm
Bridgeview Resource Center   
505 Omaha Way, Vancouver, WA 98661      

Saturday class locations TBA   9:00 am to 2:00 pm

Class 2 - Battle Ground/Camas

4/17  Weds.         Unit 1 Basic Preparedness

4/24  Weds.         Unit 2 CERT Organization & Radio Communications

4/27  Sat.         Unit 6 Fire Safety & Unit 7 Light Search & Rescue Ops

5/1    Weds.         Unit 5 Disaster Psychology & Unit 8 Terrorism 

5/8    Weds.         Unit 3 Med Ops 1

5/15  Weds.         Unit 4 Med Ops 2

5/18  Sat.           Final Drill

5/22  Weds.           CERT in Clark County, WA 

Evening classes will be held  6:30 to 9:00 pm

Fire District 3, Station 31

17718 NE 159th St., Brush Prairie, WA 98606 

Saturday class locations TBA  9:00 am to 2:00 pm

Thank you to Vancouver Fire District, Clark County Fire District 6, and Clark County Fire District 3 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: CERT in Clark Co. -- the Practical Application

Session 8: Final Drill

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: 

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 and 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 do not currently 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: 


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 in a real-life emergency situation. 

Here are links to additional resources for Emergency Preparedness information:

Clark Regional Emergency Services Agency (CRESA)   https://www.cresa911.org/162/Emergency-Preparedness

Disasters & Emergencies   https://www.ready.gov/  

Prepare In A Year 

Centers for Disease Control & Prevention   https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/foodwater/prepare.html

Thank you to our sponsoring agencies and organizations!