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Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)

What is CERT?

The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) is a group of Evanston volunteers who assist the Office of Emergency Management in times of need. In the event of a serious man-made or natural disaster, the Office of Emergency Management may call upon CERT Volunteers to assist in the response. CERT volunteers are also sometimes asked to help support the Office of Emergency Management in non-emergency situations, such as staffing large public events.

CERT volunteers also receive basic training in disaster response, fire safety, and light search and rescue, so they can help others before professional first responders arrive in any situation.

CERT members training

Spring 2026 Session from March 5 - April 30, 2026 (no class April 2)

The spring session for CERT training will take place on Thursdays from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The session is FREE and eligible for ages 17 and up. The approximately 20-hour training will include classroom instruction and hands-on lessons. Registration is now open.

Sign Up

Tentative schedule:

  • Week 1: Disaster Preparedness & CERT Organization

  • Week 2: Disaster Medical Part 1

  • Week 3: Disaster Medical Part 2

  • Week 4: Terrorism & CERT, Disaster Psychology

  • Week 5: Fire Safety & Utility

  • Week 6: Light Search & Rescue Operations/ Mini- Simulation

  • Week 7: Disaster Simulation & Course Review

  • Week 8: Graduation

Join CERT

The Office of Emergency Management is always looking for new CERT volunteers! There are three easy steps to becoming a CERT Volunteer:

  1. Submit an initial application*
  2. Attend a new CERT volunteer training session
  3. Start volunteering!

*Signing up for the initial application does not register you in the next CERT training session. 
CERT members learning to put out a fire

Other Volunteer Opportunities

If you are interested in other ways to be involved in the Evanston Community, we recommend these other fantastic volunteer opportunities:

Community Emergency Response Team Image