CERT - Community Emergency Response Team

Benton County CERT

Become a trained Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) member and learn the skills needed to help your family, neighbors and colleagues during a disaster.

What is CERT?

CERT – Community Emergency Response Team – is a program of the US Citizen Corps which is managed nationally by the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The program trains community volunteers in basic disaster response skills so they can help their neighbors during an emergency. Here in Benton County, CERT is coordinated by volunteers under the sponsorship of the Emergency Management Division of the Benton County Sheriff’s Office. Click on this link to see a video of CERT in Action.

What do you learn?

No matter where you live, no matter who you are, we all have a role in our personal and neighborhood preparedness! CERT volunteers learn about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact our County. Basic CERT training is at your own pace, in an online environment, followed by a Skills Check weekend of fun that includes:

  • Disaster Preparedness
  • CERT Organization
  • Disaster Medical Operations
  • Disaster Psychology
  • Fire Safety & Utility Controls
  • Light Search and Rescue Operations
  • Terrorism
  • Disaster Simulation
What are you expected to do?

CERT volunteers do not replace professional responders, but when a disaster strikes, they are trained to assist others in our community until professional responders are available. CERT volunteers may be called out to an emergency and will be asked to respond as they are available and able.

After completing the Basic CERT training, CERT volunteers are expected to attend periodic trainings to keep their skills sharp. CERT volunteers are also encouraged to support emergency response agencies by taking an active role in emergency preparedness projects.

Who can become a CERT volunteer?

The course is geared toward adults, but open to all persons age 16 and older. Individuals under 18-years-of-age must have a signed consent from a parent or legal guardian and must be accompanied by the parent or legal guardian during the class. Once accepted into the program, participants must successfully complete the Basic CERT training program to become CERT-certified.

How much does it cost to go through the CERT program?

Nothing! The program is free-of-charge.

How do I become a CERT trained volunteer?

Send an email to cert@bentoncountyor.gov and you will receive instructions on how to register for the approved online course.  Once you receive your certificate of completion for the online curriculum you are eligible to attend the practical training exercise to complete your training for Benton County CERT.

If you have additional questions about CERT, email cert@bentoncountyor.gov. Connect with us on FACEBOOK!

CERT Members, report your volunteer hours HERE.

Click any thumbnail image to view a slideshow

CERT Training
CERT Training
CERT Training
CERT Training
CERT Training
CERT Training
CERT Training
CERT Training
CERT Training
CERT Training
CERT Training
CERT Training