Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program
In 2007, the Fort Bend County Office of Emergency Management (OEM) and a group of dedicated volunteers formed the first CERT group in the county. The team's purpose and mission is to aid and support the people of Fort Bend County in preparing for, responding to, recovering from, or mitigating the effects of natural and man-made disasters. The CERT Program helps train people to be better prepared to respond to emergencies, small and big, in their community. Participants receive training in the following areas:
- Basic emergency medical care
- Disaster preparedness
- Fire suppression
- Light search and rescue techniques
- Other topics taught by professional first responders
Upcoming CERT Trainings
July 18 - 20, 2025 - In Person Training:
The next CERT training will be held July 18 - July 20. Register on PreparingTexas: https://tdem.geniussis.com/Registration.aspx?aid=2136
Hybrid Training
Step 1: Complete OnlineCERT curriculum offered by the University of Utah: click here to access the course
Step 2: Once available, register for the hands-on practical training (There are no hands-on practical days scheduled at this time)
Interested in joining CERT? Contact us here!
Ready.gov | Get Involved
Navigate to the training hub on Ready.gov/Get-Involved to learn more about certifications and courses available to you.
IS-317.A: Introduction to Community Emergency Response Team (CERTs)
An optional training before the CERT Basic classroom training or just to learn more about the program, check out FEMA's Independent Study (IS) course IS-317.A.
Online CERT Class (University of Utah)
To participate in Fort Bend County's hybrid hands-on CERT training, you must first complete the free Online CERT course offered by the University of Utah. This self-paced course covers a foundational knwoledge of CERT training. Completion certificates must be submitted prior to attending the hybrid course.