Folsom CERT
Basic Training
Academy

During disaster response, affected communities depend heavily on local and national volunteer organizations to provide trained volunteers and much-needed donated supplies.  Additionally, communities are more resilient when residents have been trained to 'be the help before help arrives'.  The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) is a program, supported by FEMA, that trains community members to be self-sufficient and help their neighbors in the immediate aftermath of a disaster, providing support to first responders until professional help arrives.  CERT programs are available in all 50 states. While CERT is a nation-wide program it is administered locally.   In our community, Folsom CERT is sponsored by the Folsom Fire Department. CERT members are volunteers. 

CERT programs aim to empower individuals to prepare for and respond to disasters, acting as a "force multiplier" for professional responders. CERT members receive training in basic skills like first aid, fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations. In the event of a disaster, CERT members can assist with tasks such as:

• Providing immediate assistance to victims 

• Organizing spontaneous volunteers 

• Gathering disaster intelligence for professional responders 

• Assisting with evacuation and traffic control 

• Supporting emergency operations centers 

• Assisting with setting up neighborhood shelter

In Folsom, CERT also provides services in non-disaster situations such as:

• First Aid support for local events

• Search for missing at-risk person

• Cooling and clean-air centers

• Logistical support to the fire department

• First Aid training to local scout troops

• Operational support in times of severe weather

• Logistical support to the region's Incident Management Team

Some short videos providing an overview of the academy content can be found HERE.  A FEMA webinar about CERT can be found HERE.

(please note that these are external links we do not control)

A couple of other videos specifically about Folsom CERT can be found  HERE and HERE.

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. 

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:

• A series of online disaster preparedness classes

• Some hands-on, in-person classes where skills are practiced

• A disaster simulation drill so you can apply what you have learned

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 the online training and then the in-person training to complete the academy.

Academy Details:

• 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.    

• A backpack with required personal protective equipment will be provided.

Participant Expectations:

1. You will register using this sign-up form.  You will receive an email confirming your acceptance.

2. You will attend all classes to receive your Certificate of Completion.

3. For the Hybrid Academy format, you will first complete both of the online requirements. Llinks provided below:
   CERT - Basic Emergency Response Training
   CERT - Triage Unit

4. For the Hybrid Academy format, you will bring your online course completion certificates to the first skills day. If you do not complete the online requirements, you will be unable to participate in the skills days.

5. You will wear closed-toed shoes and long pants to each class.  For the hands-on and final exercise you will have long sleeves available to wear that completely cover your arms.

6. You must complete the online classes, attend all in-person classes and complete the Disaster Exercise to complete the Academy.  You may do this over the course of two Academies but you can't participate in the Disaster Drill until you have completed all prior coursework.

7. You are prohibited to carry firearms, combat knives, handcuffs/restraining devices, stun guns/Tasers, or any other weapons. Please note: Even if you are licensed to carry a firearm, you are not authorized to carry one while participating in any Folsom CERT activities.

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.

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

1. Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Basic Emergency Response Course

2. Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Basic Course - Triage Module

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 

CERT Organization 

Disaster Medical Operations

Disaster Psychology

Fire Safety and Utility Controls 

Light Search and Rescue Operations 

CERT and Terrorism 

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:

The Folsom CERT Academy is generally held twice per year, once in the spring, and once in the fall.   Classes are held at Folsom Fire Station 35 on Glenn Dr.  The final Disaster Drill and Exercise is held at the El Dorado Hills Fire Training Center.

Academy 26-2 (Fall of 2026) -  Now accepting registrations!

Date Time Description Location

Thursday, September 10th 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm CERT Academy Kickoff Meeting Folsom Fire Station 35

Saturday, September 12th 9:00 am - 3:00 pm CERT Academy Hands-on Skills Day 1 Folsom Fire Station 35

Saturday, September 19th 9:00 am - 3:00 pm CERT Academy Hands-on Skills Day 2 Folsom Fire Station 35

Thursday, September 24th 6:00 pm - 9:30 pm CERT Academy Disaster Drill EDH Fire Training Center

Academy 27-1 (Spring of 2027) -  Dates TBD

Date Time Description Location

Weekday Evening Date TBD 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm CERT Academy Kickoff Meeting Folsom Fire Station 35

Saturday Date TBD 9:00 am - 3:00 pm CERT Academy Hands-on Skills Day 1 Folsom Fire Station 35

Saturday Date TBD 9:00 am - 3:00 pm CERT Academy Hands-on Skills Day 2 Folsom Fire Station 35

Weekday Evening Date TBD 6:00 pm - 9:30 pm CERT Academy Disaster Drill EDH Fire Training Center 

Sacramento County Health Department Public Health Orders will be enforced.

Completing the CERT Academy is the first step to becoming a member of Folsom CERT and part of the Folsom Fire Department family.  Students who complete the Academy, some 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.