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- Community Emergency Response Team - CERT
Community Emergency Response Team - CERT
Joe Olaciregui, CCP Coordinator
(775) 325-6928 I Jolaciregui@washoecounty.us
The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) is a disaster preparedness and response training program. These classes are designed for the "general citizen" and will provide a broad base of training in disaster preparedness, light search and rescue, disaster medical, fire safety and many other aspects of preparation and response.
The program consists of six training sessions over two consecutive weekends, and all sessions must be completed to graduate. The training is conducted by Citizen Corps staff, volunteers, and subject matter experts. You don't need any special skills or training to participate in the program. If you're between 16-17 years old, you can join with a parent's permission.
All residents are encourage to complete CERT training to best serve our community in the event of an emergency. At the conclusion of the program, participants are also invited to become a volunteer with the Citizen Corps Program (CCP) through which volunteers regularly practice critical response skills.
CERT volunteers help not only during disasters, but also assist professional responders during training and exercises. CERT volunteers are an invaluable asset to our community, providing crucial services such as traffic control, staffing first aid booths, assisting with Child ID efforts, and helping at special events such as the Reno Rodeo, Reno Balloon Races, and community safety days. In CERT, there is a job for everyone.
2025 CERT Academy
The Washoe County Sheriff’s Office Citizen Corps offers a free Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Academy in the Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter.
The CERT Academy will take place at the Regional Public Safety Training Center located at 5190 Spectrum Boulevard on the following Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays:
- January 16th, 17th, 18th and 23th, 24th 25th
- April 17th, 18th, 19th and 24th, 25th, 26th
- July 10th, 11th, 12th and 17th, 18th, 19th
- October 9th, 10th, 11th and 16th, 17th, 18th
To begin your volunteer journey and register for the CERT Academy, complete the CERT Volunteer Application here.
Questions? Contact the CERT Team at 325-6928 or email us.
Other Helpful Links:
CERT Overview
Red Cross
For more information visit: