After completing the CERT training course, participants should be able to take the necessary steps to safely secure themselves and their families. Beyond that, CERT Trained Volunteers are prepared for and expected to lead their communities by supporting any larger, neighborhood or Citywide disaster or emergency responses. Once trained and CERTified as a Disaster Service Worker Volunteer [DSW-V], members may be called to serve by identifying and reducing potential fire hazards in and around their neighborhoods, recognizing life-threatening conditions and applying appropriate life-saving techniques, conducting light search and rescue operations and, supporting with situation and status reporting.
We encourage everyone to register for CERT training. If you have already submitted a registration form, you will be notified as space in the class becomes available, according to the schedule posted online. Session dates are subject to change based on operational need/capacity. All changes will be published on this website.
Please Note: Oakland CERT training takes at minimum, 24 hours to complete and can be delivered in two ways. The first option is to complete the training in 3 days via the in-person accelerated delivery or; the training can be completed via hybrid delivery, whereby a portion of the training is completed online via independent study modules and a weekly Zoom meeting before participants meet for the second, in-person and hands-on, skills training component.
How do CERT teams help?
Oakland CERT In Action | Resources for Current and Future CERT Members
Upon successful completion of the CERT training, course graduates receive their CERTificates and become official City of Oakland Disaster Service Worker Volunteers [DSW-V]. Here's what CERT training looks like IRL [in real life].
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Frequently Asked Questions - CERT Specific
Check here for a list of FAQ's that are specific to Community Emergency Response Teams.
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Register for CERT Training as a Group/Team
Training is better together! These instructions will help you register as a team.
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CERT Team Coverage Map
For the first time in 30 years, we are able to track and map Oakland CERT Teams.
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2022.1 Photo Gallery
View, download, and save photos from your CERT Session.
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Watch Video
Benefits of CERT Training - Lessons from California, Texas, & Florida
CERT Training Schedule
CERT TRAINING SESSIONS for 2025:
2025.1.T3* – CERT Basic Train-the-Trainer; January 7th, 8th, 9th
2025.2.A – CERT Basic Accelerated delivery; February 15th, 22nd, March 1st
2025.3.A - CERT Basic Accelerated delivery in Cantonese, Dates TBD
CERT Skills Rodeo – CERT skills refresher exercise with community members; August 10th
2025.4.A - CERT Basic Accelerated delivery; October 24th, 25th, 26th
2025.5.T3* - CERT Basic Train-the-Trainer; November 7th, 8th, 9th
*Note: CERT T3 is only available to those who have current basic CERT training and first responder professionals
Registration for these courses is available now. If you registered on the 2025 CERT training waitlist or had done so for a previous CERT offering that did not have space, you will receive an email regarding prioritized course availability.
If you have been accepted into the current CERT training session, you will have received a Notice of CERT Training Acceptance via email.
NEXT STEPS: All Oakland CERT Coursework dates and times are noted above and will be updated should they change.
FYSA: If a Hybrid CERT delivery is offered, a link to register for an account on the CalOES training platform will be provided in the Notice of CERT Training Acceptance. Please consider setting up your e-learning account as soon as possible.
If you have any questions in the meantime, please email the Oakland CERT Coordinator: MSmyj@oaklandCA.gov .
About
After completing Oakland Community Emergency Response Team [CERT] training, course graduates will:
- Be able to identify and anticipate hazards in the home and workplace
- Understand what steps to take in order to increase personal and family readiness
- Be familiar with the Incident Command System and basic functions
- Know how to organize themselves and spontaneous volunteers in a disaster or emergency
- Know how to apply basic medical techniques/basic first aid
- Be able to set up medical treatment areas
- Know how to help reduce survivor and DSW-V stress
- Know how to safely extinguish small fires
- Be able to conduct light search and rescue activities
- Be able to assist emergency responders in mass casualty incidents.
- Understand the appropriate actions to take in an active shooter situation
- Be able to promote CERT Training in Oakland
Oakland CERT Training is available free of charge via hybrid [Digital/In-person] delivery, or via an accelerated 3- Day, in-person delivery. Teen CERT is typically delivered in-person, via the linked learning pathway and certification program at ARISE High School in Oakland.
Youth who do not attend ARISE High School may join any of the hybrid or accelerated CERT classes provided that parent or guardian permission has been obtained.