Celebrating 40 years of CERT: Neighbors helping neighbors

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San Bernardino County celebrates 40 years of CERT volunteers helping communities prepare for and respond to emergencies.

For 40 years, the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program has empowered county residents to help their communities prepare for and respond to disasters.

CERT volunteers receive training in basic emergency response skills, including disaster preparedness, fire safety, basic first aid, light search and rescue, and team organization. That training helps volunteers prepare themselves and their households while building a network of trained community members ready to help when needed.

But CERT is about more than being prepared. When disaster strikes, CERT volunteers rise to the occasion.

During the December 2025 storms, Wrightwood CERT showed what that looks like in action. The team provided the San Bernardino County Office of Emergency Services with live updates from the community, staffed the Community Resource Center for weeks and distributed food, prepackaged meals, lanterns and other essential supplies to their neighbors. Their efforts provided critical support and a sense of safety for residents, especially during the early stages of the storm when outside access to the community was limited.

CERT teams are also valuable partners to Emergency Services. Because volunteers know their communities, they can provide important information from the ground, support response efforts and help Emergency Services better understand community needs during an emergency.

CERT volunteers make a difference before, during and after disasters by:

Building community preparedness. CERT volunteers share preparedness information and encourage their neighbors to understand local risks and prepare before an emergency.
Putting their training into action. When emergencies happen, volunteers can use their skills to support their communities and response partners.
Supporting their neighbors. CERT teams help connect residents with information, resources and assistance when they need it most.
Working alongside Emergency Services and response partners. CERT volunteers provide local knowledge and additional support that can strengthen emergency response and recovery efforts.

The strength of CERT comes from people who are willing to learn, prepare and step up for their neighbors. We are incredibly grateful for the dedication and service of CERT volunteers throughout San Bernardino County and the vital role they play in helping make our communities more prepared and resilient.

Want to get involved? Watch this short video and visit Emergency Services’ website to learn more about CERT in San Bernardino County.

Additional County Update News – September 24, 2026