Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Academy - Summer 2026

PLEASE READ THE DESCRIPTION IN IT'S ENTIRETY
BEFORE YOU REGISTER AND PAY FOR THIS COURSE. Thank you.

The Santa Clara County Fire Department offers the CERT Academy to train residents on disaster preparedness skills. In the event of a disaster or public safety emergency, CERT volunteers can assist their family and neighbors when first responders are not immediately available.

Participants will learn disaster preparedness, disaster medical operations, disaster psychology, fire suppression, light search and rescue, and terrorism awareness. Registration preference is given to those who reside in our jurisdictional cities and towns. Read more below....

• The CERT Academy is (4) four evening/in-person sessions, and a (1) final in-person skills exercise during the day.

• Students must be 18 or older and attend all five (5) FEMA class sessions.

• CERT classes are held on Tuesday and Thursday nights, 6:00pm-9:00pm, on the following dates: Aug 4 , Aug 6, Aug 11, Aug 13.
  The final in-person Skills/Graduation day is Saturday, Aug 15, from 8:30am to 1:00pm.
  NOTE: Initially the first class was online, but we have now made it in-person

• Fee: $35 fee covers the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) you will receive in this course: hard hat, leather gloves, eye protection, high vis vest, and an N95 mask.
• All sessions will be at the Joan Pisani Community Center, 19655 Allendale Ave, Saratoga.

This training course is open to individuals who live or work within the communities served by Santa Clara County Fire Department: Cupertino, Campbell, Los Gatos, Monte Sereno, San Martin, Saratoga, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, and the unincorporated surrounding areas. Others may be placed on a wait list.

Participants should be 18 or older. Teenagers should consider joining the Teen CERT Academy: https://sites.google.com/view/santa-clara-county-teen-cert/home

Questions please contact: Gracie Hernandez at (408) 341-4425 or by email at cert@sccfd.org