The CERT Basic Training course consists of the following classes:
UNIT 1: Disaster Preparedness
- Introduction to types of disasters and their impact on infrastructures
- Identification of hazards
- Description of various risks and how to reduce or eliminate them
- How to plan and prepare to be ready
- Role of CERTs in disaster response
UNIT 2: Fire Safety and Utility Controls
- Fire chemistry and basic fire suppression
- Identifying and reducing potential fire hazards
- Firefighting resources and techniques
- Introduction to Hazardous Materials Incidents
UNIT 3: Disaster Medical Operations I
- Treatment strategies for life-threatening conditions
- Principles of triage
UNIT 4: Disaster Medical Operations II
- Head-to-toe patient assessments
- Establishing treatment areas
- Treatments for burns, lacerations, fractures, sprains, and other injuries
UNIT 5: Light Search and Rescue Operations
- Search and rescue priories and resources
- Size-up techniques and rescuer safety
- Lifting, cribbing, and victim removal
UNIT 6: CERT Organization
- CERT structure and the Incident Command System
- CERT mobilization
- Decision-making and documentation
UNIT 7: Disaster Psychology
- Psychological impact of a disaster on rescuers and victims
- Providing “psychological first aid” to yourself, team members, and survivors
UNIT 8: Terrorism and CERT
- Risk and threat analysis
- Types of terrorism weapons
- Travel and terrorism
UNIT 9: Course Review and Simulation
- Course review
- Disaster simulation exercise
La Verne CERT Program 