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Overview
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History & FAQ
Southern Nevada CERT 3V

Southern Nevada CERT

Course Registration
Overview
Course Descriptions
Announcements
History & FAQ
Southern Nevada CERT 3V

Courses

Moapa CERT

Saturday, February 24, 2024 and Saturday, March 2, 2024

8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Overton Community Center, 320 N. Moapa Valley Road, Overton, NV 89040 

REGISTER HERE



Mesquite CERT

Saturday, March 23, 2024 and Sunday, March 24, 2024

8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Address: 3 John Deere Drive, Mesquite, NV 89027

REGISTER HERE


Sun City Anthem CERT

Thursday, April 11, 2024 and Friday, April 12, 2024

8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Address: 2640 Hampton Road, Henderson NV 89052 

REGISTER HERE


City of North Las Vegas CERT

Saturday, April 20, 2024 and Sunday, April 21, 2024

8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Address: 4040 Losee Road, North Las Vegas, NV 89030 

REGISTER HERE


Henderson CERT

Every Wednesday, May 8, 2024 - June 12, 2024

5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

401 Parkson Road, Henderson, NV 89011

REGISTER HERE


City of Las Vegas EOC

Saturday, May 18, 2024 and Sunday, May 19, 2024

8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

7551 W. Sauer Drive, Las Vegas, NV 89128

REGISTER HERE


City of Las Vegas EOC

Saturday, June 1, 2024 and Sunday, June 2, 2024

8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

7551 W. Sauer Drive, Las Vegas, NV 89128

REGISTER HERE

General Information

CERT logo

Following a major disaster, professional-first responders providing fire, police, and medical services will not be able to meet the demand for these services. The number of victims, communication failures and road blockages will prevent people from accessing emergency services they have come to expect at a moment's notice through 911. People will have to rely on each other for help in order to meet their immediate life-saving and life-sustaining needs.

History has taught us that under these kinds of conditions, family members, fellow employees and neighbors will spontaneously try to help each other. This was the case following Hurricane Hugo, the Loma Prieta Earthquake and the Mexico City earthquake where untrained, spontaneous volunteers saved 800 people. However, 100 people lost their lives while attempting to save others. This is a high price to pay and is preventable through training.

We know that government emergency services will not meet immediate needs following a major disaster, especially if there is no warning as in an earthquake. We know people will attempt to assist those in need and spontaneously volunteer. What then should government do to prepare citizens?

First, present citizens the facts about what to expect following a major disaster in terms of immediate services. Second, communicate the message about their responsibility for mitigation and preparedness. Third, train them - in needed life-saving skills - with emphasis on decision making skills, rescuer safety and doing the greatest good for the greatest number of people. Fourth, organize teams so that trained citizens are an extension of first responder services offering immediate help to victims until professional services arrive.

The city of Las Vegas, Office of Emergency Management provides training and coordination for the Southern Nevada Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program. The Southern Nevada CERT program encompasses  Clark, Esmeralda, Lincoln and parts of Nye Counties. CERT training includes disaster preparedness, fire suppression, medical operations, light search and rescue, team organization, weapons of mass destruction/terrorism and disaster psychology.

For more information contact:

Malik Redmond

Southern Nevada CERT Program Coordinator

702-229-2516, mredmond@lasvegasnevada.gov


Irene Cedillo

Volunteer Program Coordinator

702-229-2608, icedillo@lasvegasnevada.gov


Guy DeMarco

Southern Nevada CERT Marketing and Promotions Specialist

702-229-6794, gdemarco@lasvegasnevada.gov

Units

Unit 1, DISASTER PREPAREDNESS

  • Introductions and Overview
  • Community Preparedness: Roles and Responsibilities
  • Hazards and Their Potential Impact
  • Impact on the Infrastructure
  • Home and Workplace Preparedness
  • Reducing the Impact of Hazards Through Mitigation
  • CERT Disaster Response
  • Protection for Disaster Workers
  • Additional Training for CERTs
  • Unit Summary

Unit 2, FIRE SAFETY AND UTILITY CONTROLS

  • Introduction and Unit Overview
  • Fire Chemistry
  • Fire and Utility Hazards
  • CERT Size-Up
  • Fire Size-Up Considerations
  • Firefighting Resources
  • Fire Suppression Safety
  • Hazardous Materials
  • Exercise: Suppressing Small Fires
  • Unit Summary

Unit 3, DISASTER MEDICAL OPERATIONS, PART I: 

  • Introduction and Unit Overview
  • Treating Life-Threatening Conditions
  • Triage
  • Unit Summary

Unit 4, DISASTER MEDICAL OPERATIONS, PART II

  • Introduction and Unit Overview
  • Public Health Considerations
  • Functions of Disaster Medical Operations
  • Establishing Medical Treatment Areas
  • Conducting Head-to-Toe Assessments
  • Treating Burns
  • Wound Care
  • Treating Fractures, Dislocations, Sprains and Strains
  • Nasal Injuries
  • Treating Cold-Related Injuries
  • Treating Heat-Related Injuries
  • Bites and Stings
  • Unit Summary

Unit 5, LIGHT SEARCH AND RESCUE OPERATIONS:

  • Introduction and Overview
  • Safety During Search and Rescue Operations
  • Conducting Interior and Exterior Search Operations
  • Conducting Rescue Operations
  • Unit Summary

 Unit 6, CERT ORGANIZATION:

  • Introduction and Unit Overview
  • CERT Organization
  • CERT Mobilization
  • Documentation
  • Activity: Incident Command System (ICS) Functions
  • Activity: Tabletop Exercise
  • Unit Summary

Unit 7, DISASTER PSYCHOLOGY

  • Introduction and Unit Overview
  • Disaster Trauma
  • Team Well-Being
  • Working with Survivors' Trauma
  • Unit Summary

 Unit 8, TERRORISM AND CERT

  • Introduction and Unit Overview
  • What is Terrorism?
  • Terrorist Targets
  • Terrorist Weapons
  • Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosives (CBRNE) Indicators
  • Preparing at Home, Work, and in Your Neighborhood
  • CERTs and Terrorist Incidents
  • Activity: Applying CERT Principles to a Suspected Terrorist Incident
  • Unit Summary

Unit 9, COURSE REVIEW, FINAL EXAM AND DISASTER SIMULATION

  • Introduction and Unit Overview
  • Course Review
  • Final Exam
  • Disaster Simulation

News

CERT Volunteer Program Announcement

Southern Nevada CERT is launching its new Volunteer Program: Southern Nevada CERT 3V.

This unique program aims to vitalize the invaluable, basic disaster response skills that CERT members have already learned. As a CERT 3V, members will take an active role in educating and supporting people in neighborhoods, schools, places of worship, and other existing organizations to take a more active role in emergency preparedness.

They may also receive additional training to give critical emergency support to first responders and other agencies when needed. As an affiliated, trained volunteer with the Southern Nevada CERT 3V Program, members will be a trusted source of support to Southern Nevada response agencies. For additional information, please contact: Irene Cedillo icedillo@lasvegasnevada.gov or 702-229-2608.


2022 Southern Nevada CERT Exercise Held

The 2022 Southern Nevada Community Emergency Response Team(CERT) exercise is in the books. More than 30 CERT volunteers took part in theday-long event, which included refresher training, a tabletop discussionexercise, and a full-scale exercise.

The event took place at the Las Vegas Fireand Rescue Training Center. This was the first time since 2019 that afull-scale CERT exercise occurred. During the morning refresher, CERTvolunteers received training on fire suppression and emergency first aid.Afterward, the volunteers were broken into groups, where they analyzed anemergency scenario in a discussion setting.

Following a lunch provided byFirehouse Subs, the volunteers were briefed on the full-scale exercisescenario: a magnitude 5.5 earthquake near Frenchman Mountain. The volunteersdispatched to the Fire Training Center exercise field, where they reported toan Incident Commander and encountered damaged buildings, fires, and actorsdressed as victims. Many of the volunteers say they appreciated the opportunityto test their skills. KSNV Channel 3 and KCLV Channel 2 provided media coverageof the event. Watch the Channel 3 report here,and the KCLV report here

SouthernNevada CERT Program Public Information Officer Guy DeMarco says the exercise isa huge benefit to all involved. “It gives our volunteers the practice theyneed, and it gives our first responders the chance to work with ourvolunteers,” he said. “It’s a win-win for everyone.” Thanks to all who madethis year’s exercise a success!

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CERT Course for Southern Nevada Asian Community Held

The Southern Nevada CERT program continues to expand to serve different segments of the local population. Organizers held the first Southern Nevada Asian CERT course in March.

The course took place at the City of Las Vegas Emergency Operations Center. While the curriculum was the same as the one offered in other CERT courses, there were materials available for Chinese-speaking students, as well as a Chinese interpreter.

“We have had great success with our Spanish CERT courses for the last few years,” said Southern Nevada CERT Program Manager Mary Camin. “It only makes sense that we should expand to other segments of our community.”

CERT instructor Cherina Kleven helped make the Asian CERT course a reality. “As our cities continue to grow demographically, it is important to make sure our citizens are safe and know what to do during disaster or emergency situations,” she said. “We look forward to expanding our services to our community.”


2021 Southern Nevada CERT Exercise Held

The 2021 Southern Nevada CERT exercise took place Saturday, November 6, 2021. More than 30 CERT volunteers participated in the exercise, which usually takes place every year.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, however, the CERT program did not hold an exercise in 2020. The exercise was divided into two parts: a training refresher and a tabletop discussion. During the refresher, CERT volunteers received additional training on disaster medical operations. Afterward, the volunteers practiced what they learned on moulaged volunteers from the EMS Training Center.

Following a working lunch, the CERT volunteers divided into small groups, where they participated in tabletop discussions. Specifically, each group received a scenario involving an earthquake in a Las Vegas valley neighborhood. From there, the groups discussed how they, as CERT volunteers, would respond following the earthquake.

Many of the volunteers said they enjoyed the ability to practice their CERT skills and think through a potential disaster situation in Las Vegas. 

Thanks to all who participated.

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Second Annual CERT Exercise Held

Nearly 50 CERT volunteers had the opportunity to practice their life-saving skills on April 13th at the second annual Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) exercise. The day-long event took place at the Las Vegas Fire and Rescue Training Center.

The volunteers began the day with a refresher CERT course that focused on fire suppression, medical operations and the Incident Command System.

After lunch, the exercise began with a mock news report by KCLV of an earthquake under Frenchman Mountain. The volunteers dispatched to the Incident Command Post, where they were organized into teams for search and rescue; medical operations and fire suppression. Once sent into the field of play, the teams encountered “damaged” buildings, fires and more than 70 actors who portrayed injured victims (with realistic-looking injuries). The exercise lasted approximately two hours.

“Our volunteers deserve the utmost credit,” said Southern Nevada CERT Program Specialist Mary Camin. “Their commitment, effort, and dedication are what make the Southern Nevada CERT program and this exercise possible.”

Thanks to all of the players; as well as the volunteers provided by Las Vegas Fire & Rescue, the city of Las Vegas Marshal’s Office, the American Red Cross of Southern Nevada, UNLV, EMS Training Center of Southern Nevada and Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department.

Special thanks to Las Vegas Fire and Rescue Battalion Chief Gary Suan for providing access to the Fire Training Center, as well as to Firehouse Subs for providing food to everyone involved.

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CERT Instructor Honored for 1 October Efforts

The Oct. 1, 2017 shooting at the Route 91 Harvest Festival in Las Vegas ended the lives of 58 people; hundreds more were injured. Some of the more than 20,000 concert-goers, however, survived thanks to the quick actions of people who attended the event.

One of those heroes is Southern Nevada CERT instructor Fernandez Leary.

Leary was attending the concert with family and friends. When the shooting started, his experience as a former fire chief and paramedic took over. Leary helped administer first aid to many people who sustained injuries from the shooting.

Now, Fernandez Leary is being recognized for his efforts. The American Red Cross of Southern Nevada named Fernandez Leary as one of the organization's 2018 Everyday Heroes. The annual awards are presented by the American Red Cross of Southern Nevada and Caesar's Entertainment, with support from KLAS-TV, Channel 8.

Thanks to Fernandez Leary for his life-saving actions at the Route 91 Harvest Festival, and thanks to the American Red Cross of Southern Nevada for giving him this much-deserved honor.

Watch the American Red Cross of Southern Nevada Everyday Heroes Awards Banquet

Watch 8 News NOW's Story about Fernandez Leary

Fernandez Teaching 450.jpg

FAQ

What are the course fees?

The course is free. The Community Emergency Response Team Program is sponsored through a grant from the Department of Homeland Security.

How do I join?

The CERT course is delivered in the community by a team of first responders who have the requisite knowledge and skills to instruct the sessions. The CERT training for community groups is usually delivered in 2½to 3 hour sessions, one evening a week over a 6 or 8 week period.

When participants have completed this training, with their permission, they are entered into a database of disaster volunteers that may be notified in case of a disaster or to participate in drills held throughout the county by responding agencies. CERT members are notified by email.

3V for Vital, Vocal, Volunteers!

Fire-Extingusiher-Training-photo.jpg


We invite those who have completed the Southern Nevada Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) course to apply for the new CERT 3V Program. This unique program aims to utilize the valuable basic disaster response skills you have already learned. 

As a CERT 3V, you will take an active role in educating and supporting people in neighborhoods, schools, places of worship, and other existing organizations to take a more active role in emergency preparedness. You may also receive additional training to give critical emergency support to first responders and other agencies when needed.

Non-Emergency Opportunity Examples

  • Disaster Exercise Support
  • Community Outreach
  • Public Safety Education
  • Animal Disaster Preparedness
  • Neighbor Check-Ins
  • Administration Support

Emergency Support Opportunity Examples

  • Fire suppression in your neighborhood
  • Urban search and rescue when the situation can’t wait
  • Mass care, such as shelter and feeding operations
  • Access and Functional Needs Support
  • Donation Management
  • Organize spontaneous volunteers at a disaster site
  • Traffic and Crowd Control
  • Assess damages in your community after a disaster

As an affiliated, trained volunteer with the Southern Nevada 3V Program, you will be a trusted source of support to Southern Nevada response agencies. Our grant funding requires all affiliated volunteers to agree to a background check, fingerprint and drug test. Both in-person and online training also is required.

If you are ready to engage in any of these volunteer opportunities, please complete the Volunteer Interest Form (English) or Volunteer Interest Form (Spanish) to be considered for an interview.  Interest forms will be reviewed quarterly.

For additional information, please review the Frequently Asked Questions (English) or Frequently Asked Questions (Spanish). Have more questions? Email nvcert@lasvegasnevada.gov or call 702-229-2608.

CERT programs are now in all 50 states, including many tribal nations and U.S. territories. The city of Las Vegas is part of the over 2,700 local CERT programs nationwide and you are one of the 600,000+ members trained since CERT became a national program in 1993.

Events

CERT Opens 2022 with New Courses

The Southern Nevada CERT program is returning in earnest to in-person training in 2022. Program organizers launched a virtual curriculum in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 2022 will see a return to mostly in-person training, with courses already scheduled in Henderson, Moapa, North Las Vegas, Mesquite, and Las Vegas.

"The virtual courses have been useful and popular during the last year, and we will still offer that option going forward," said Southern Nevada CERT Program Public Information Officer Guy DeMarco. "But, there is nothing like being back in the classroom."

For a complete list of CERT courses currently being offered, visit the Course Registration tab at www.nvcert.org.


CERT Classes Added For 2019

The Southern Nevada CERT program is preparing for a busy 2019. More than a dozen course offerings are now available for registration, with more on the way. The courses are being offered in several areas in southern Nevada, including Henderson, Las Vegas, Laughlin, Mesquite, North Las Vegas and Pahrump.

Courses are typically offered once a week for six weeks; or during a two-day intensive course that spans one or two weekends.

History

In Southern Nevada Community Emergency Response Training (CERT) training began in 1999. The first course was held in Sun City Summerlin and graduated 12 students. We offer between 18 and 20 courses each year throughout Southern Nevada at Community Centers, Churches and other facilities provided by the groups sponsoring a course. If your group consists of 15-32 individuals, we can tailor a course specifically for it.

The Community Emergency Response Team concept was developed and implemented by the Los Angeles City Fire Department (LAFD) in 1985. The Whittier Narrows earthquake in 1987 underscored the area-wide threat of a major disaster in California. Further, it confirmed the need for training civilians to meet their immediate needs. As a result, the LAFD created the Disaster Preparedness Division with the purpose of training citizens and private and government employees.

The training program that LAFD initiated makes good sense and furthers the process of citizens understanding their responsibility in preparing for disaster. It also increases their ability to safely help themselves, their family and their neighbors. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recognizes the importance of preparing citizens. The Emergency Management Instituteand the National Fire Academy adopted and expanded the CERT materials believing them applicable to all hazards.

The CERT course will benefit any citizen who takes it. This individual will be better prepared to respond to and cope with the aftermath of a disaster. Additionally, if a community wants to supplement its response capability after a disaster, civilians can be recruited and trained as neighborhood, business, and government teams that, in essence, will be auxiliary responders. These groups can provide immediate assistance to victims in their area, organize spontaneous volunteers who have not had the training, and collect disaster intelligence that will assist professional responders with prioritization and allocation of resources following a disaster. Since 1993 when this training was made available nationally by FEMA, communities in 28 States and Puerto Rico have conducted CERT training.

CERT Videos

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