Folsom CERT
Academy

What is the Folsom CERT Academy?

Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) is a FEMA-sponsored program. FEMA is the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which is part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), a United States federal agency.


The CERT Basic Training program trains the public in disaster preparedness. This makes a more resilient community. CERT-trained residents can better help themselves and their neighbors during disasters before professional first responders arrive by performing tasks such as searching for and rescuing people, providing basic medical assistance, putting out small fires, and handling other small incidents. CERT programs are available in all 50 states.


Folsom CERT is a volunteer organization that works with The City of Folsom's Fire Department.  Folsom CERT and Folsom Fire Department provide the Folsom CERT Academy twice a year to provide basic training to the public.  The course curriculum includes how to assist family members and neighbors until emergency responders arrive.  The academy consists of:


Completion of the Folsom CERT Academy will give you good skills in disaster preparedness and is the first step towards becoming a member of Folsom CERT, should you wish to pursue that.  See below for details.


The Folsom CERT Academy is presented in a hybrid format, where portions of the training are in-person and portions are online.  You must complete both the in-person and the online training to complete the academy.


Some short videos providing an overview of the academy content can be found HERE.


Academy Requirements

Academy Details:


Participant Expectations:


The Folsom CERT Academy is presented in a hybrid format, where portions of the training are in-person and portions are online.  You must complete both the in-person and the online training to complete the academy.


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. Plan on at least 14 hours to complete the online portion.  CalOES online registration is required to access the courses.


Certificates of Completion of the online classes are required for participation in the in-person classes.  Plan on a total of at least 12 hours to complete the in-person portion.


Classes and Disaster Exercise

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

Online Courses

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



The course manual (268 pages) can be downloaded at: https://www.ready.gov/sites/default/files/2019.CERT_.Basic_.PM_FINAL_508c.pdf 


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 

Dates and Locations

The Folsom CERT Academy is held twice a year:


Academy 24-2 (Fall of 2024) - In Progress - Not accepting new registrations

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


Academy 25-1 (Spring of 2025)

Dates and locations to be determined.


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 Folsom CERT Academy.

If you have any other questions, send email to contact@folsomcert.org.

Joining Folsom Fire Department’s CERT

Students who complete this CERT Basic Training Academy, take additional online classes and pass a background check may be invited to become volunteer members of the Folsom Fire Department’s CERT. 


Full details will be provided during the in-person portion of the Academy.