Join CERT
In coordination with the Ventura County Fire Department, the City of Thousand Oaks offers free Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) classes to educate volunteers about disaster preparedness for the hazards that may occur where they live.
During a local incident, normal services may be disrupted and residents may need to take care of themselves until emergency responders arrive. CERT teaches community members to safely, responsibly, and efficiently respond to disasters. CERT also trains volunteers in basic disaster response skills including:
- Fire safety
- Light search and rescue
- Team organization
- Hazard awareness
- Disaster medical operations
All CERT classes are taught by trained emergency responders.
Completing the CERT program requires 24 hours of free training. Each graduate will receive a certificate of completion, a manual, and a CERT disaster pack with a helmet, gloves, and safety goggles.
The CERT program includes six successive 3-hour classes followed by one emergency incident drill at the Ventura County Regional Fire Services Training Center in Thousand Oaks for CERT participants to practice the skills learned in all six classes. Participants who complete all six classes and the final drill will receive a certificate of completion. Two classes are scheduled in 2025 on six successive Wednesdays, 6 - 9 P.M. at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza (2100 Thousand Oaks Blvd). A full course outline can be found in the FAQ below.
Cohort #1- CLASS IS NOW FULL AND REGISTRATION IS CLOSED
April - May 2025
Wednesdays, 6 - 9 P.M.
April 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, & May 7.
Final Drill Date: May 17, 2025
Cohort #2
September - October 2025
Wednesdays, 6 - 9 P.M.
September 3,10,17, 24, October 1 & 8.
Final Drill Date: October 11, 2025
Registration Details:
[button text="Complete an online application"]
If you have questions, please send an email to gwatts@toaks.gov or call (805)449-2453.
CERT FAQs
The 2025 CERT subject schedule is as follows:
Class #1 (April 2 & September 3) - CERT Introduction & Disaster Preparedness
Class #2 (April 9 & September 10) - CERT Organization & Disaster Psychology
Class #3 (April 16 & September 17) - Disaster Medical Operations- Bandaging and Patient Care & Hands Only CPR
Class #4 (April 23 & September 24) - Disaster Medical Operations- START (Simple Triage and Rapid Treatment) & Setup Treatment Area
Class #5 (April 30 & October 1)- Fire Safety & Utility Controls - Small Fire Suppression, Terrorism & CERT Kit Distribution
Class #6 (May 7 & October 8) - Light Search & Rescue, Cribbing/Lifting, Patient Movement, Course Review & Drill Overview
Class #7 (Dates to be determined) - Final Exam & Emergency Incident Simulation (4 hours)
Preference is given to Thousand Oaks residents, however CERT programs are offered in many other areas of the County. View the complete list.
All classes are offered in-person. If a CERT participant misses a class in Thousand Oaks, that same class can be made up at another CERT class in a nearby community.
After the final workshop, you will be presented with your Certificate.
Completing the CERT program will provide you with situational awareness of what to do in a local emergency. Refresher courses may be offered at a later date. Please check with the Ventura County Fire Department for a complete list of courses.
