Explore San Bernardino County Services: CERT volunteers strengthen preparedness across San Bernardino County

"San Bernardino County Update", yellow arrowhead and "SBCounty.gov

In a county as large and diverse as San Bernardino County, residents play an important role when emergencies impact their communities. Through the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program, the San Bernardino County Office of Emergency Services trains residents to care for themselves, their families and their neighbors while providing additional community support when professional responders are focused on the most critical needs. CERT volunteers also help the Office of Emergency Services understand conditions on the ground by identifying needs and sharing information from the communities they know best.

That preparation begins with a 21-hour CERT course focusing on practical, hands-on disaster response skills. Participants learn fire safety, light search and rescue, disaster medical operations and team organization, along with what to do before, during and after an emergency. No previous emergency response experience is required to get involved. The training starts with the basics and is designed to help residents build the knowledge and confidence to respond safely and effectively while working within the scope of their training.

During an emergency or disaster, CERT volunteers may support assistance centers and shelters, help with logistics and resource distribution, conduct damage assessments, assist with traffic control, share community information or support outreach and recovery efforts. Assignments depend on the incident and where help is needed most. Volunteers work as part of an organized response under the direction of Emergency Services, first responders or the agency coordinating their assignment. While not a replacement for professional responders, these volunteers add capacity and help extend the reach of emergency response operations.

“Our CERT volunteers are an extension of the communities they serve. Their local knowledge, willingness to help and commitment to preparedness make them an important part of how we support communities across San Bernardino County,” said Guadalupe Felix, emergency services manager.

The value of that local connection was evident during the December 2025 storms. CERT teams from Wrightwood, Phelan, Piñon Hills and Lytle Creek were among the first volunteers to mobilize, providing the Office of Emergency Services with information about storm conditions and impacts while helping residents access water, supplies and information at emergency assistance locations. After the rain stopped, volunteers conducted initial damage assessments throughout affected communities, helping the Office of Emergency Services and first responders better understand where damage occurred and what level of assistance residents needed.

CERT involvement extends beyond emergency activations. Volunteers can remain involved through community education, preparedness outreach, events, additional training and exercises that keep their skills current and strengthen connections with Emergency Services and their communities. The program gives residents a way to build confidence, teamwork and leadership skills while taking an active role in making San Bernardino County more prepared and resilient. To learn more about CERT and see upcoming training opportunities, visit https://oes.sbcounty.gov/cert/.

Additional County Update News – September 10, 2026