IRVINE POLICE DEPARTMENT
ORANGE COUNTY FIRE AUTHORITY
CERT PROGRAM
COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM
INTRODUCTION
The Community Emergency Response Team, or CERT, Program is designed to prepare you
to help yourself, your family, and your neighbors in the event of a catastrophic disaster.
Because emergency services personnel will not be able to help everyone immediately, you
can make a difference by using the CERT training to save lives and protect property.
CERT Training covers basic skills important in a disaster, when emergency services are
unavailable. You will want to help. With training, practice and you will be able to do the
greatest good for the greatest number of people after a disaster, while also protecting
yourself from becoming a victim.
WHAT IS COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM? CERT is a group
of responsible, trained individuals who have come together to form a skilled group of Disaster
Service Workers. The CERT Program can be used in neighborhoods, businesses, and
schools. The CERT members realize that in the event of a major disaster they will have to
rely on their neighbors and themselves to handle emergencies until professional help arrives.
The CERT organization uses the same basic working structure that the Irvine Police
Department, Orange County Fire Authority, and the City Emergency Operations Center use,
where positions are assigned and correlate with functions. This structure is called the
Incident Command System. The common goals of this management system can be
accomplished without duplication of effort.
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE?
Irvine recognizes the responsibility to provide emergency services to protect the lives and
property of our residents. It also recognizes that City resources will be severely impacted
making it difficult to address the needs of 202,000 residents. Due to the high demands that
will be placed on our limited resources, everyone should be self-sufficient for a minimum of 3
– 5 days. The CERT Program utilizes the willingness and expertise of our residents to care
for themselves and their neighbors.
WHAT TYPE OF TRAINING WILL BE OFFERED?
The CERT Training Program will cover skills and information necessary during a disaster
including:
Disaster Operations
Disaster Medical Operations
Fire Suppression
Light Search & Rescue
Disaster Psychology and Team Organization
CERT training is focused on interactive discussions and hands-on activities. Upon
completion of your training, we ask that you will share this valuable information with your
neighbors and others. CERT participants must be an Irvine Resident and 18 years or older.
Thank you for your interest in the CERT Program.
WHO DO WE CONTACT FOR MORE INFORMATION?
Contact the City of Irvine Emergency Management Section and obtain an updated training
schedule at the Police Department by calling Dawna Finley, CERT Program Manager at (949)
724-7148.
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Please put me on your waiting list and contact me for the next CERT Program.
NAME: ___________________________________________________________
ADDRESS: _______________________________________________________
WORK PHONE: ______________________HOME PHONE: ________________
EMAIL ADDRESS: ___________________________________________________
REASON FOR PARTICIPATION: ______________________________________
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Email your interest to: dfinley@ci.irvine.ca.us