Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)

About National CERT

CERT was developed by the City of Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) in 1985. They realized that the impact of disasters could be lessened if citizens were more prepared through disaster survival training. The training they created was adopted by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in 1994 and expanded into a nationwide program under Citizen Corps. There are now thousands of CERTs in communities across the country.

Boone County CERT Program Overview

The Boone County CERT is a volunteer program which educates citizens about core disaster preparedness and basic response skills such as:

• Individual and Family Preparedness
• Basic Fire Safety
• Search and Rescue
• Incident Management
• Disaster Medical Operations

In the event of a major emergency or disaster within the County, the reality may be that public safety resources will be overwhelmed. CERT education is intended to lessen the impact of disaster on those participating in the training, and enable them to aid family members, neighbors or coworkers immediately following an emergency until responders arrive.

Should you choose to join the active team, volunteers can receive additional training enabling them to act as a force multiplier to supplement response or incident management operations at the direction of the Boone County Office of Emergency Management.

Volunteers on the Boone County CERT Team are classified into six levels based on the training and experience they have received. Below are the level classifications overview:

• Awareness Level
  This level is for individuals interested in taking the CERT Basic Training course to learn more about disaster preparedness and gain skills to care for themselves, their families, neighbors, and/or coworkers during an emergency. Awareness Level volunteers have no annual participation requirements, nor do they receive issued equipment.
• Level I - V
  CERT volunteers who are interested in actively participating in the CERT Program by attending monthly training, outreach events, volunteering, assisting during disasters, and working to increase their training level are considered Team Members. After application approval, each team member is issued a membership level based on the training they have received through the program.

2025 CERT Basic Training Schedule

Full 2025 CERT Training Schedule

Eligibility Requirements

To take the CERT Basic Training course, participants must:

• Be a resident or employed in Boone County. Non-county citizens wishing to participate will be admitted on a case by case basis.
• Be at least 18 years old.

To be considered for membership at a Level I or higher, participants must meet the additional requirements below:

• Complete the CERT Basic Training course.
• CERT applicants must disclose any previous criminal convictions. CERT members must not have been convicted of a misdemeanor in the last five years. Felony convictions will be handled on a case by case basis so long as it has been 10 years since the completion of any sentencing. Any member charged with a crime or that is arrested will be suspended from all CERT activities and must return all assigned equipment until the legal process is completed.
• Complete all portions of the CERT Program application process.
• Complete and submit a background check through the Family Care Safety Registry
• Complete the Volunteer Release and Waiver of Liability Agreement.
• Complete the CERT Volunteer Agreement and Code of Conduct.

2025 In-Person CERT Basic Training

The CERT Basic Training provides individuals who complete this course with the basic skills required to respond to their community's immediate needs in the aftermath of a disaster, when emergency services are not immediately available. By working together, CERT volunteers can help save lives and protect property using the basic techniques in this course. The target audience for this course is individuals who desire the skills and knowledge required to prepared for an respond to a disaster.

This course is delivered over four weekly sessions and one all day session. During the training, participants will receive a combination of lecture and hands-on skills training. Participants will take a written exam and receive a certificate indicating successful completion of the course.

Participants cannot miss more than 10% of the total course to be eligible for completion. This course has a 20 participant maximum and a 8 participant minimum. Should the course be cancelled due to low participation, you will be contacted by the Boone County CERT Program Manager no less than 24 hours prior to the beginning of the course.

*See schedule image above for March

Hybrid CERT Basic Training

Not a fan of in-seat training, or prefer a timely virtual learning? Boone County Office of Emergency Management has proudly adopted the Online CERT hybrid learning model developed by the University of Utah School of Medicine. Online CERT is self-paced, and progress can be saved any time and resumed later. The course covers the standardized 2019 FEMA curriculum and is available in multiple languages.

The course is presented through a multimedia learning experience including videos, virtual reality simulations, interactive knowledge checks and more with live IT support. Online CERT combines 12 hours of online lecture, accessible via mobile device or desktop, and 16 hours of hands-on practical training administered by our office. At the completion of the online course, participants are issued a certificate, and become eligible to register for the proctored practical skills training.

To register for the upcoming in-seat CERT Basic Training or Hybrid CERT Basic Training, complete the registration form at the link below. Be sure to indicate your preferred delivery method.

Register for CERT Training