The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Basic Training, sponsored by the Orange City Fire Department, is a comprehensive, hands-on disaster preparedness course designed to empower residents to respond effectively in their neighborhoods during emergencies when first responders may be delayed. Featuring guest instructors from the Orange Police Department and St. Joseph’s Hospital, the program spans four days—Thursday through Sunday, with evening sessions on Thursday and Friday and daytime sessions on Saturday and Sunday—to deliver its eight units in a manageable format. Covering critical skills like fire suppression, basic medical operations, light search and rescue, and disaster psychology, participants engage in practical, hands-on activities, culminating in a realistic disaster simulation. Created to foster community resilience, CERT equips individuals to help one another in crises, and the Basic CERT Training serves as the essential first step for those interested in joining the City’s volunteer team, opening a pathway to active involvement in local emergency response efforts.

Only register if you can attend all FOUR DAYS.

Tentative Schedule:

October 2, 2025, Thursday, 1800 - 2100 (3 hours total)

1800 - 1830: Welcome

1830 - 2000: UNIT 6: CERT Organization

2000 - 2100: UNIT 1: Disaster Preparedness

October 3, 2025, Friday, 1800 - 2100 (3 hours total)

1800 - 1930: UNIT 8: Terrorism and CERT

1930 - 2100: UNIT 7: Disaster Psychology

October 4, 2025, Saturday, 0800 - 1500 (7 hours total)

0800 - 1130: UNIT 4: Disaster Medical Operations Part 2

1200 - 1500: UNIT 5: Light Search and Rescue Operations

October 5, 2025, Sunday, 0800 - 1500 (7 hours total)

0800 - 1100: UNIT 3: Disaster Medical Operations Part 1

1130 - 1430: UNIT 2: Fire Safety and Utility Controls

1430 – 1500: Graduation Ceremony