Community Emergency Response Team

CERT Logo

The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program trains community members in basic disaster response skills such as small fire suppression, light search-and-rescue, and disaster medical operations. Using training from both the classroom and exercises, CERT members can assist others in their neighborhood or workplace following an event when professional responders are not immediately available to help. Completing either the Spring or Fall CERT curriculum certifies you to be a supplemental responder during major emergencies.

The Palo Alto Office of Emergency Services would like to congratulate Palo Alto's newest CERT graduates! They are now prepared to assist their neighbors when the next disaster strikes.  

Group photo of the newest CERT graduates

Upcoming CERT Courses

Spring 2023

  • CERT Basic Training will begin Monday, March 6, 2023 and will meet in person on March 6, 8, 13, 15, 20, 22 from 6:30-9:30 p.m.  
  • Field Day is Saturday, March 25, noon - 4 p.m.  

Register now for a Palo Alto CERT course.

Fall 2023

  • CERT Basic Training will begin Tuesday, September 5, 2023 and will meet in person on September 5, 7, 12, 14, 19, 21 from 6:30-9:30 p.m.  
  • Field Day is Sunday, September 24, noon - 4 p.m 

Register now for a Palo Alto CERT course.

Important Note: We will also ask you to complete three online modules on your own time (each module should require about an hour to complete), before the first class.  Instructions are posted here(PDF, 125KB).(PDF, 125KB)

You can also view CERT course offerings from our local public safety partners: Mountain View OESSunnyvale OES, and Santa Clara Fire Department.

CERT Online Resources

Palo Alto CERT FOG (Field Operating Guide)(PDF, 1MB)
Version 7.0 | Last updated April 2023

Palo Alto CERT Supplemental Training Video Series

Damage Assessment Form(PDF, 216KB) - Last updated September 12, 2017

CERT Participant Manual & Slides

English Manual or English Slides
Spanish Manual or Spanish Slides
Simplified Chinese Manual or Simplified Chinese Slides

CERT Hazard Annexes

English Manual or English Slides
Spanish Manual or Spanish Slides
Simplified Chinese Manual or Simplified Chinese Slides