Spring 2024 CERT Training

Throughout the State of California, many people have seen the catastrophic levels of devastation that often occur from large-scale wildfires, earthquakes, and other natural and human-induced disasters. The immediate confusion and destruction that typically arise from these events initially overwhelm the local first responders. Still, the shining light in these incidents is from the large number of volunteers that arrive to help their neighbors and community.

When large-scale emergencies occur throughout the nation, we often find that the non-traditional first responders are neighbors helping neighbors; therefore, it is the mission of the City of Placentia's Emergency and Health Services office to provide consistent training and resources to the members of our community to ensure that in an emergency, our neighborhoods and communities can quickly recover from a disaster. In Emergency Management, many officials term this act of kindness and self-sustainability as the Whole Community Approach to disasters. In Placentia, we believe the Whole Community Approach is critical to our City's resilience.

To ensure our residents are ready for a large-scale emergency, the Placentia Emergency and Health Services office offers CERT training to develop a city-wide group of volunteers trained and willing to respond to large-scale emergencies in their neighborhoods throughout the City and Orange County. Qualified members of CERT often assist their neighbors and communities in many ways, and each person truly provides invaluable support during significant events and emergencies.

To sustain and increase our level of preparedness, a free CERT course is offered to the public several times a year. The courses are free for Placentia residents. The CERT course provides training in fire suppression, terrorism, search and rescue, disaster medical operations, and disaster psychology. Upon completing the CERT training, each participant will be given the option and resources to further their training to serve their neighbors and neighborhoods.

Spring 2024 CERT training dates are planned for Thursday nights in April and May 2024. Tentatively, April 4th, 11th, 18th, 25th, and May 2nd.

If you want to take the Spring 2024 CERT course, please contact the Placentia Health and Emergency Services office at (714) 993-8214 or email [email protected].

Let's all do our part to be #ReadyPlacentia!