Emergency Management

The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) is a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) program that educates residents about disaster preparedness for the hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations. CERT members are trained to safely respond to emergencies on the family, neighborhood, and community levels and can help when first responders are unavailable. CERT members also are encouraged to support emergency response agencies by taking a more active role in emergency preparedness projects in their community.

About the City of Tacoma CERT

The City of Tacoma’s CERT is a free, community-based, all-volunteer program. You can join if you live within the City of Tacoma limits, or our CERT program is the closest offered to you (while remaining in Pierce County). Training includes both online and in-person activities from trained professionals.

Join a Tacoma CERT class

City of Tacoma’s CERT Program Pathways

City of Tacoma Emergency Management invites residents who live in or near the city limits of Tacoma to become members of our CERT team. There are three different pathways that a volunteer can choose to participate in for their community. Each path requires a different set of requirements beyond the CERT basic course. The three types for the community are CERT Team Volunteer, CERT Team Leader, and CERT Section Chief.

Below, you will find our CERT Volunteer Pathways. Your choice solely depends on the level of involvement you would like to have within our CERT program.

CERT Team Volunteer

The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Volunteer is a voluntary CERT team member trained in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, or disaster medical operations.

Team volunteers must have Type 1 and Type 2 skills. Type 2 training requirements include IS 100, IS 200, IS 700, IS 800, and the CERT Basic course. Type 1 training requires all courses from Type 2 plus additional supplemental training.

RT Team Leader

The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Team Leader is a volunteer who is part of a CERT and directs team activities.

There are Type 1 and Type 2 skills for team leaders. Type 2 requirements include the following training: IS 240, IS 241, IS 242, IS 1300, IS 2200, G427- CERT Program Manager Course, and the CERT Basic course. Type 1 requires all courses from Type 2 plus additional supplemental training.

CERT Section Chief

The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Section Chief is a volunteer responsible for a specific functional area within the CERT.

The CERT Section Chief requires the following training: IS 100, IS 200, IS 244, IS 288, IS 315, IS 505, IS 700, IS 703, IS 800, and the CERT Basic course.

Background checks will be conducted for all members interested in the CERT program. Moreover, some team members may take more in-depth training, such as AED training, basic first aid, and CPR.

CERT Basic Training

The basic CERT training course is required for volunteers who want to become certified members of our team and have the option to be deployed during an emergency. The training will include those components necessary to get you started and become capable of performing basic CERT functions. Participants must complete in-person practical training to receive their CERT course completion certificate. The training will be on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6-9 p.m. for three weeks, with a disaster simulation exercise on the final Saturday. This training course is available twice a year.

Even if you aren’t ready to become a certified member or don’t want to deploy during an emergency, our CERT basic training course is available for anyone! The classes follow standard models developed by FEMA and are offered in cities across the United States. Aimed at equipping our community to prepare for and respond to disasters relevant to our area, this model teaches neighborhood residents how to help each other in the first few minutes, hours, or days following a disaster – before emergency responders can render professional help.

CERT Course Content

The basic CERT course includes the components necessary to get you started and become capable of performing basic CERT functions. Each participant must complete in-person practical training to receive their CERT course completion certificate. The training will be on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6-9 PM for three weeks, with a disaster simulation exercise on the final Saturday. This training course is available twice a year.

What Will You Learn?

• Disaster Preparedness: How to prepare yourselves and your neighborhoods for the various hazards that may occur.
• Team Organization and Disaster Psychology: This course addresses the organization and management principles necessary for a CERT to operate successfully. It also covers critical incident stress for victims and emergency workers.
• Medical Operations: How to conduct triage, establish medical treatment areas, and provide basic first aid for victims.
• Damage Assessment: How to rapidly assess damage employing a standardized format used throughout the county.
• Fire Suppression: Using fire extinguishers and other equipment to suppress small fires.
• Light Search and Rescue: How to perform light search and rescue planning, techniques, and rescuer safety.
• Terrorism and CERT: Describe the action following a suspected terrorist incident.
• Disaster Simulation: A small-scale disaster simulation located at the City of Tacoma Fire Department Training Center (2124 Marshall Ave., Tacoma, WA 98421), where you get to put the skills you learned throughout the course to the test – with the help of trained professionals (firefighters, police officers, utility professionals, and more).

*Participants must attend all days and times to receive a final course completion certificate.

The Tacoma Prepared app is an emergency management tool that unites community members and promotes solidarity all year round. It delivers accurate information and resources during an emergency and can enhance preparation, communicate news, and motivate action. The Tacoma Prepared mobile app is a primary method of communication with the City’s CERT members, so download the app today to stay involved! The app delivers accurate information and resources during an emergency and can enhance preparation, communicate news, and motivate action.

A smoke alert signifies a hazard in your area that requires attention. Here is a sample smoke alert message: “This message is from the Tacoma Fire Department: Please be advised. Smoke may be present in your area due to a large fire currently burning at [location]. We recommend staying indoors, closing your windows, and avoiding the smoke if possible, especially for those that have respiratory sensitivities. If you are experiencing prolonged smoky conditions that are affecting your breathing, you should relocated to a public space or the home of a family member or friend where the smoke is not a problem. If you are unable to relocate to a smoke free area, please call 9-1-1 for assistance.”

The decision depends on how close you are to the fire and the amount of smoke in your indoor space. Tips from the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency and the Washington State Department of Health, such as turning off your furnace/air intake systems, establishing a clean room, creating a DIY air filter, or relocating to a smoke-free environment, can help mitigate the effects of light smoke. If smoke conditions are dangerous and you need assistance relocating, call 911.

The Tacoma Fire Department (TFD) utilizes air monitoring equipment to assess toxic chemical levels during a fire incident. An evacuation order may be issued if detected toxins reach severe levels. When preparing to evacuate, consider the Five Ps of Evacuation for wildfires and significant fire events: (ready.gov)

• People: Ensure the safety of individuals, pets, and other animals if possible.
• Prescriptions: Gather medications, dosages, medical equipment, batteries, power cords, eyeglasses, and hearing aids.
• Papers: Secure important documents in hard or electronic copies on external hard drives or thumb drives.
• Personal needs: Pack clothes, food, water, a first aid kit, cash, phones, chargers, and items for individuals with disabilities or special needs.
• Priceless items: Include pictures, irreplaceable mementos, and valuables.