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Thank you for expressing interest in Montgomery County’s CERT Program.
The general public is always welcome to attend our regularly scheduled Monthly CERT Meeting, held the second Thursday of every month at 7 pm. The meeting is held in the first floor auditorium of the Executive Office Building, located at 101 Monroe Street, Rockville MD 20850. Unless otherwise noted; check the calendar page under the ‘EVENT’ tab for updates.
What is CERT?
The Community Emergency Response Training Program (aka CERT) educates people about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as light search and rescue, disaster medical operations, team organization and fire safety. Using the training learned in the classroom and during exercises, CERT members learn to assist their family, their neighbors and their coworkers following an event when professional responders are not immediately available to help.
Why do we need CERT?
Following a major disaster, the first responders who we have come to rely upon to provide fire and medical services will not be able to meet the entire community’s need for these services. Factors such as the number of victims, communication failures, or road blockages can prevent people from receiving emergency services they depend upon. People may have to rely on each other for help, in order to meet their immediate life saving and life sustaining needs.
How Long Does CERT Training Last?
The initial CERT Training generally lasts for five weeks and equals 30 hours of instruction and hands on exercises. A typical schedule would be one weekday evening from 7-9 pm AND four hours on the weekend (for example 9am – 1pm on a Saturday, or 12:30pm – 4:30pm on a Sunday). Each session is unique in scheduling so please confirm the hours and your availability before committing to participate.
The topics currently covered within the 30 hours are: Disaster Preparedness, Damage Assessment, First Aid, CPR /AED, Triage, FRS Radio Use, Fire Safety / Fire Extinguisher Usage, Light Search and Rescue, Hazardous Materials Awareness, Incident Command System (NIMS), Pet Safety, Terrorism Awareness, and Mass Casualty Response. The final class is a practical hand’s on culmination of the training you’ve received.
Who Can Take This Training and What is the Cost?
CERT training is being made available throughout the United States. Montgomery County CERT caters to residents of the county who are at least 18 years of age. Exception can be made for people who work within Montgomery County boundaries. As of this writing, this valuable opportunity is being provided to residents at no cost other than a participant’s commitment and desire to learn.
When is The Next CERT Class?
The CERT Leadership and Instructors try to provide three trainings per year when possible. The next class being offered that has openings is scheduled to begin January 23 of 2013. All applicants are requested to make a good faith effort to attend every class; missed units must be made up before the Official FEMA Certificate of Completion is given.
When Will I Know If I Am Included In The CERT Class?
You will receive an initial acknowledgement that your application was received and will be processed for possible inclusion in the next class. Because applications are often received months in advance and the class is filled on a first come first served basis we do require the applicant to acknowledge and respond to the Invitation Email which will be sent approximately four to five weeks before the start of class. If the student fails to respond to the email within five days, their application will be moved to an inactive status. At that time the wait listed applicants will be invited as their applications were received. There are three options for the student’s response 1) Yes, I am still committed to attend 2) I cannot attend at this time; please apply my application to the next session or 3) I am no longer interested in CERT training.
All accepted applicants will receive a Confirmation Email with specific details about the class location. At any time a student may contact the registrar at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it with questions.
Application to Participate in CERT
Please click here to complete this application and forward it to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
CERT UN 1 Welcome, Introductions, Risk Assessment CERT UN 3 CPR/AED CERT UN 3 Killers, Rules of Elvis CPR/AED CERT UN 4 Triage, Treatment of Wounds CERT UN 2 (exting), CERT UN 5, Transport/Litters, Radios, Clue Awareness, Collapsed Rescue UN 2 Fire Safety, Utilities, HazMat UN 1- Disaster Kits, Go Bags, UN 12- Pet Preparedness ; PPE, UN 11- Introd to Radios CERT UN 6- ICS/Zombies, CERT UN 10 DA UN 4 Medical Scenarios, practice, using CERT TTT for practical; distribute CERT packs CERT UN 7 Disaster Psych, Team Well Being, Mass Fatality CERT Final Practical, UN 8 & UN 9
Getting Started in CERT
You may use this link to access the CERT Training Manual, it is recommended that you print and bring it to class but it is not required. The manual can be saved to an electronic file and read on line. http://www.citizencorps.gov/cert/downloads/training/participantmanual/PM-Combined.pdf
These two FEMA exams are required for CERT students to complete training and graduate. Go to http://training.fema.gov/IS/
Exam's may be taken anytime prior to the start of class but must be completed by the end of class.
IS -100.b – (ICS 100) Introduction to Incident Command System
IS -700.a National Incident Management System (NIMS), An Introduction
Once you have completed the CERT training you will have the unique opportunity to become part of the actual CERT Team! You will then have access to additional training as a team member.
Spring 2012 CERT Basic Class Photo
CERT Skills Day Refresher & Makeup Day
Dec. 1 st 9-3PM Location: Public Safety Headquarters 100 Edison Park Dr. Gaithersburg, MD Contact: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
All CERT members are strongly encouraged to come to this event. We need all available Instructors to assist. This is a great opportunity to get a chance to practice your skills in a series of planned stations and scenarios. This is makeup for any class you missed. Bring your Go-Bags and medical supplies. And don't forget your brown bag lunch.
CPR Class
Dec. 4th (tues.)
CPR for CERT members, family, and friends. Class Tuesday, December 4th promptly at 6:30-9:30 PM at the Public Safety Headquarters Building 100 Edison Park Drive, Gaithersburg, MD. Arrive by 6:15 to get through security. A photo ID is required! If interested please register by sending an email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Other Training Opportunities…
Montgomery County Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician.
This position is critical in assisting parents to properly install car seats. We all presume this is easy but in fact, to properly install a car seat can be a very detailed procedure. Please direct any questions relating to training, registration, or costs to:
Emilie B. K. Crown, RN, CEN
Program Manager Car Seat Program
301-742-1850.
Please direct any training questions to the CERT Registrar at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or to Greg St. James, CERT Program Manager, at
240-777-2407
