Folsom CERT
Academy

What is the Folsom CERT Academy?

The Folsom CERT Academy (basic training) consists of:


The course curriculum includes how to assist family members and neighbors until emergency responders arrive.  Topics include disaster preparedness, first aid, search and rescue, and emergency response plans. The CERT Academy is FREE.  No medical nor firefighting background is required.  Participants must be age 18 or older or over 16 and attending with a legal guardian.  Preference is given to applicants who live or work in Folsom.  Some short videos providing an overview of the academy content can be found HERE.


The online courses are provided by the California Office of Emergency Services (CalOES).  The online classes may be taken at any time but must be completed before attending the in-person classes.


The in-person skills will be taught by Folsom CERT members and Firefighter/Paramedics from the Folsom Fire  Department.  These classes will be held at Folsom Fire Station 35 on Glenn Dr. and possibly the El Dorado Hills Fire Training Center.  Certificates of Completion of the online classes are required for participation the in-person classes.  


All classes and the drill must be attended to complete the program.  The in-person classes and drill are held twice per year. Personal protective equipment (gloves, goggles, hi-vis vest) will be provided.  A headlamp is recommended.


Students who complete this CERT Basic Training Academy, additional online classes and pass a background check may be invited to become members of the Folsom Fire Department’s volunteer CERT team. Full details will be provided during the in-person portion of the Academy.


An online introductory class is provided by FEMA.  It is not a prerequisite but it may answer some questions you may have about the CERT program.  You can find it at:

https://emilms.fema.gov/is_0317a/curriculum/1.html  

On-line Courses

To start your CERT journey, first complete the following on-line self-paced training provided by CalOES:



What is covered:


Disaster Preparedness 

• Community Preparedness: Roles and Responsibilities • Hazards and Their Potential Impact • Home and Workplace Preparedness • Reducing the Impact of Hazards Through Mitigation • CERT Disaster Response • Additional Training for CERT Volunteers 

CERT Organization 

• CERT Organization • CERT Mobilization • Documentation 

Disaster Medical Operations

• Treating Life–Threatening Conditions • Basic First Aid Care • Mass Casualty Incidents / Triage• Functions of Disaster Medical Operations • Establishing Medical Treatment Areas • Conducting Head-to-Toe Assessments • Public Health Considerations 

Disaster Psychology

• Disaster Reactions • Self-Care and Team Well-Being • Working with Survivors’ Emotional Responses 

Fire Safety and Utility Controls 

• Fire Chemistry • Fire Size-up Considerations • Firefighting Resources • Fire Suppression Safety • Fire and Utility Hazards • Hazardous Materials 

Light Search and Rescue Operations 

• Safety During Search and Rescue Operations • Conducting Interior and Exterior Search Operations • Conducting Rescue Operations 

Unit 8 CERT and Terrorism 

• Terrorist Goals and Tactics • Preparing Your Community • Active Shooter Situations • Until Help Arrives • Hazmat and CBRNE 

In-person Classes and Disaster Drill

Certificates of Completion of the online classes are required for participation the in-person classes.


Please wear closed-toe shoes or boots and long pants and appropriate outer garments for being outside.  A backpack with required personal protective equipment will be provided.


Academy Classes - in-person:


Things we will cover:

• Light Search & Rescue skills

• Firefighting skills

• Disaster Medical Operations skills

• Review of the key points of the online training

• Folsom team-specific information

• Preparation for the final exam and disaster simulation
• Q&A


Final Exam and Disaster Exercise - in-person:


• Disaster Drill • Drill Critique and Summary• Certificate Ceremony !

When and Where are the In-person Classes and Disaster Drill?

Academy 24-1 (Spring of 2024)

Classes are held at Folsom Fire Station 35 on Glenn Dr. from 6pm to 9pm.



Academy 24-2 (Fall of 2024)

Classes may be held at Folsom Fire Station 35 on Glenn Dr. and the El Dorado Hills Fire Training Center.


Sacramento County Health Department Public Health Orders will be enforced.

How can I get more information?

The FEMA CERT site can be found HERE.


Click HERE to register for the in-person portion of the Academy.

If you have any other questions, send email to [email protected].