About CERT

The potential for wildfires, earthquakes, transportation accidents, terrorist attacks and other disasters lurks below our everyday awareness.   Many people have become complacent knowing that when we dial 911, professional help arrives in a mere handful of minutes.  However, experts say when the “big one” hits, law enforcement officers, firefighters, paramedics and hospitals will initially be overwhelmed and will not be able to tend to the hundreds, or even thousands of injured victims.

To span this gap between need and response, the Department of Homeland Security urges people to train and prepare themselves by enrolling in a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program.  The program educates people about disaster preparedness and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, and disaster medical operations.  Using their training, CERT members can tend to themselves and their families, and can assist others in their neighborhood or workplace.

The City of San Marcos, in partnership with Palomar College, is sponsoring CERT classes.  Graduates of the course will have the opportunity, if they wish, to apply to become a member of the San Marcos CERT Team.  San Marcos CERT Team members will be issued free CERT equipment kits, which include helmets, gloves, goggles, radios, fire extinguishers and other survival tools.  They will also attend periodic Saturday morning training refresher sessions and participate in rescue drills with the San Marcos Fire Department.

Two to three-hour classes will take place on nine consecutive Saturday mornings, culminating in a disaster response scenario and certificate of completion in the non-credit Palomar College course.  For information about upcoming class dates and enrollment information, click here and/or call Maribel at (760) 744-1050, extension 3405.