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Firefighters and Citizens Working Together to Build Safer Communities
 During the first few hours and days after a disaster strikes, emergency services could be overwhelmed, leaving families, neighborhoods and businesses on their own for hours or days.
After the devastating Cedar fire of October 2003, the City of San Diego sought new solutions to meet this vital need. A new community based program called Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) was developed by the Fire-Rescue department. CERT San Diego helped citizens become a part of the solution in their own communities. The program took advantage of the outpouring of volunteers that that offered to help in disasters such as the Cedar fire, earthquakes and 9/11.
San Diego Fire-Rescue personnel train and empower citizens in safe, effective neighborhood CERT teams. CERT San Diego instructors teach citizens to take life-saving action to help families, neighbors, businesses and communities get through the first few hours or days when emergency services are overwhelmed.
How Do I Sign Up For the CERT San Diego Team?
- To join our CERT team, you must live within the city limits of San Diego (this does not include Chula Vista, Del Mar, Poway, or Imperial Beach, for instance) OR you must be employed by a company with a physical business address in the City of San Diego.
- Pick which academy you want to attend and fill out the appropriate Volunteer Application.
- You will be contacted via e-mail within 14 business days of receipt of the application.
FAQs About the Volunteer Application and Participation
Q. What address do I use if I live outside San Diego City limits, but work for an employer within the city?
A. Include both your complete home street address (with city and zip) and your employer's complete address. This will help place you in the most appropriate and convenient community team.
Q: What if I trained with another CERT team and completed their academy?
A. We welcome all previously trained CERT members, but require the following: Proof of graduation (either a current DSW card or copy of graduation certificate), a completed Volunteer Application for CERT San Diego, and participation in a CERT San Diego Final Drill.
Q: But what happens if there's a call-out and I haven't had a chance to do the Final Drill and I still have an active card issued by my old CERT team?
A: It means you will not be able to deploy as an active CERT San Diego member. In order to deploy, you will need to have an active DSW card issued to you by the CERT San Diego team.
Active CERT Members
Online registration is available for the following activities.
Contact Information
For more information about CERT San Diego, please email Carie DeMarco-Krzys, Program Manager, at cert@sandiego.gov or call (619) 533-4453.
If you live outside the City of San Diego, there are other CERT teams in your area. Visit County of San Diego CERT Contacts to find your local CERT team.
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