What is CERT?
The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program is a 20 hour all-risk, all-hazard training offered by the Los Angeles County Fire Department. This valuable course is designed to help you protect yourself, your family, your neighbors and your neighborhood in an emergency situation. CERT training covers:
• Disaster Preparedness
• Fire Safety
• Disaster Medical Operations
• Light Search and Rescue Operations
• Disaster Psychology
• Terrorism and CERT
Why do we need it?
After a disaster, emergency personnel and resources will likely be unavailable to respond to smaller emergencies around your neighborhood, as they will be responding to mass casualty incidents and evaluating critical infrastructure. In the event of a large-scare emergency such as an earthquake, fire, or flood, your community may not receive emergency assistance for several days after a disaster.
It is important that individuals take a proactive approach and receive emergency training prior to a catastrophic disaster.
What do CERT members do? 
Currently, the City of La Mirada chapter of CERT has over 100 members. As a CERT volunteer, you may sought by the City to assist our emergency personnel with disaster response activities following an emergency. CERT members are invited to attend regular refresher meetings. The meetings provide an opportunity to discuss training, communications, and other emergency preparedness topics. Additionally, the CERT Program takes an active role in exercising by participating in the City’s annual Disaster Drill Exercise. At the 2008 Communitywide Disaster Exercise, CERT members performed search and rescue and triage details at a hypothetical structural collapse at the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts.
How to Join CERT
CERT classes are twice a year. The next training dates will be announced on this page soon.
For additional information, please contact the La Mirada Community Sheriff’s Station or visit https://www.citizencorps.gov/cert