National Conference (Additional Details)

During the conference several training sessions will be offered. Spaces are limited, you may only be able to attend one. Registration forms for optional training will be in the confirmation email. You will be emailed an additional form to fill out. If you are not admitted to a course, your $75 registration fee will be returned to you.

The following courses will be offered as part of the 2025 National CERT Conference:

CERT Train-the-Trainer: August 4^th - August 6^th (3 Days)

Offered by: National Disaster & Emergency Managment University (NDEMU)

Course Description: This course prepares participants to deliver the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s 2019 CERT Basic Training course. National Disaster & Emergency Management University (NDEMU) Instructors deliver it using FEMA’s approved curriculum and training materials.

CERT Program Manger: August 4^th - August 6^th (2.5 Days)

Offered by: National Disaster & Emergency Managment University (NDEMU)

Course Description: This course prepares participants to establish and sustain an active local CERT program. National Diaster & Emergency Management University (NDEMU) Instructors deliver it using FEMA’s approved curriculum and training materials.

Master Instructor: August 4th - August 6th (3 Days)

Offered by: National CERT Association (NCA)

Course Description: This comprehensive preparation course equips participants experienced and familiar with CERT Train-the-Trainer and Program Manager courses to deliver the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) CERT Program Manager or CERT Train-the-Trainer Course as an Instructor Trainer. Course participants will receive an evaluation rubric and development plan to excel at delivering these courses. Participants will review the 2019 CERT Train-the-Trainer and Program Manager instructor's curriculum and demonstrate teaching skills during the course. This course is not intended to supplant existing state/territory CERT TTT and CERT Program Manager instructor trainer requirements. The course also serves as a tool to improve the ability of states and territories to develop CERT Instructor training cadres.

TEEX Wide Area Search: August 4th - August 6th (3 Days)

Offered by: Texas A&M Engineering Extension - National Emergency Response and Recovery Training Center (NERRTC)

Course Description: When disaster strikes it can be a challenge to effectively mobilize, organize, and deploy resources needed to perform search and rescue operations. The purpose of this course is to prepare participants to support a large search and rescue incident in a variety of roles ranging from searchers in the field, planning and support staff, and incident command. While built around the model of a large search and rescue event following a disaster, the course content applies to a vast number of critical situations including missing persons searches, natural disasters, terrorist incidents, and other scenarios. This course exposes participants to a search management system focused on resource management and search documentation designed to conduct search operations efficiently and effectively. The instructor cadre will lead participants through facilitated discussions, table-top exercises, and hands-on activities in practical search skills and search management based on real world scenarios. The three-day long event concludes with a table-top exercise which requires participants to utilize the skills gained during the course to work through an incident from start to finish in a single operational period. The instructor cadre are experienced search and rescue team members from the Federal Urban Search and Rescue System (FEMA US&R), State, municipal, and Volunteer teams. They bring a wealth of experience gained responding to some of nation’s largest and most challenging operations.

It is highly recommended participants complete:
- IS-100.c, Introduction to the Incident Command System or equivalent 
- IS-200.c, Basic Incident Command System for Initial Response or equivalent 

Wilderness First Aid: August 6^th (1 Day)

Offered by: National Association for Search & Rescue (NASAR)

Course Description: Basic Wilderness First Aid (BWFA) is a practical 8-hour course that explains wilderness hazards and trains you to treat injuries and other emergencies in the wilderness. Units include Environmental Hazards, Wound and Burn Care, Biological Hazards, Bone and Joint Injuries and more.
 
Participants are encouraged to bring their CERT packs and personal first aid kits to the class to enhance the hands-on portions.   
 
This course is suitable for outdoor enthusiasts, adventure guides, wilderness explorers, camp counselors, park rangers, and anyone looking to enhance their first aid capabilities in wilderness settings. Successful completion of this course will provide participants with a Wilderness First Aid certification, demonstrating their proficiency in providing critical medical care in remote and challenging environments.

TEEX PER 334: When Disaster Strikes - Prepare Act Survive (1.5 Day Course)

Prerequisites: 

• Pre-register by emailing training@nationalcert.org. 

The Disaster Preparedness and Survival: A Guide for Individuals, Families, and Communities course is designed to teach individuals and families how to prepare for, survive, and recover from a disaster. This course follows a me, we, they approach to prepare participants to care for themselves, their families, and their communities. This course shows how planning and preparedness may increase the chances of both surviving a disaster and recovering from it more quickly. This class is full of group and hands-on activities!

* Personal Development

HAM CRAM (9:00 AM - 5:00 PM)

Prerequisites: See HAM CRAM Handout

This is a one-day class for an amateur radio technician license. Testing will be provided at the end of the day. 

* Personal Development, Program Development

Team Building Activities

Presenter: Dee Lehrman - Milton Township CERT (Illinois)

Team building is a necessity in any organization. It builds trust, communication, morale and identifies strengths and weaknesses in teams. It can also aid in identifying leaders. In this presentation Dee will share team building activities you can use to strengthen your CERT team. 

* Personal Development, Program Development, Instructor Development

The Power of Preparedness: Why readiness matters more than ever in today's world

Presenter: Telfany Morgan - Federal Emergency Management Agency

The Power of Preparedness is the advantage and peace of mind YOU gain by not waiting until it’s too late. Whether it’s your personal life, business life, military or security, or even emergency management, the "power and beauty of preparedness" refers to the strength, confidence, and effectiveness that comes from being ready for potential challenges, risks, or opportunities BEFORE they happen. It simply emphasizes the idea that YOUR planning ahead and being equipped in advance can significantly improve outcomes and reduce negative impacts in uncertain situations.

THAT is what CERT does. It prepares you. It equips you. It gives YOU, the first responder on almost every scene, the training and the communication skills, to increase the chance of saving lives. 
Benjamin Franklin’s death preceded the first presidential election in 1789. However, he left us with the famous quote “Failing to prepare is preparing to fail.” – Benjamin Franklin. 
196 years later, the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) concept was developed and implemented by the Los Angeles City Fire Department in 1985, and 204 years later it became a national program in 1993. Preparedness is not the job of professionals—everyone has a role to play. CERT programs are intricate to continuing this paradigm.

Join me for an engaging and interactive discussion on how compelling CERT programs are, and how we as CERT leaders, can single handily help to accelerate recovery once a disaster/emergency clears. 

* Personal Development, Program Development

Hybrid CERT Updates 2025

Presenter: Rachel Brown - University of Utah (Utah)

The University of Utah- Rocky Mountain Center for Occupational and Environmental Health (RMCOEH) and UTHealth Houston (NIEHS Grant: P2R Consortium) partnered with the Utah Division of Emergency Management to develop a FEMA and National CERT Association approved online CERT training that meets the lecture portion of the CERT training requirements (12 hours online/16 hours in-person). A hands-on skills portion of the training within your local CERT program follows the course. The University of Utah has partnered with CalOES and Listos California to add (2) additional languages of Spanish and Mandarin.

In addition to reviewing the basic Hybrid CERT tools for new programs, the Hybrid CERT update will include recent updates since 2024 for existing programs and encourage an interactive discussion with questions regarding the program and what additional tools programs would like to see added. All attendees will receive access to this course and upcoming updates for 2025. www.OnlineCERT.org 

* Program Development, Instructor Development

CERT and the Missing Person Incident (9:00 AM - 11:45 AM)

Presenter:  Eric Martin - Middlesex County Office of Emergency Management (New Jersey)

Missing person incidents can become extremely complex in a blink of an eye. These incidents vary in challenges that can change depending on which part of the country the incident takes place such as outdoor enthusiast in the Grand Canyon or criminal influence in an urban environment. While the science of search management is a common feature throughout, the importance of establishing a formal Incident Management System (IMS) to support the Command and General Staff positions, branches, and units may be a struggle. This is where CERT becomes a fantastic resource at these types of incidents. Topics that will be discussed include various ICS forms, search urgency, and the Lost Person Questionnaire.

* Personal Development, Program Development, Instructor Development

Animals in Disaster - How CERT can help furry friends

Presenter: Susan Anderson - American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA)

The leader of the ASPCA's Disaster Response team shares insights into how disaster preparedness and response for domestic animals have changed since Hurricane Katrina and invites CERTs to expand their knowledge and skills in support of community animal welfare. The presentation includes examples of recent disaster response operations where collaboration among local, state, and national groups was critical to saving lives.

Attendees are sure to leave this session with insight into the importance of the human-animal bond following disasters, new ways to engage with the community and suggested training.

* Personal Development, Program Development

Team Building Activities (repeat session)

Presenter: Dee Lehrman - Milton Township CERT (Illinois)

Team building is a necessity in any organization. It builds trust, communication, morale and identifies strengths and weaknesses in teams. It can also aid in identifying leaders. In this presentation Dee will share team building activities you can use to strengthen your CERT team. 
* Personal Development, Program Development, Instructor Development

From Struggle to Strength: Revitalizing CERT in Oregon

Presenter: Kayla Thompson - Oregon Department of Emergency Management (Oregon)

Oregon CERT programs have undergone many changes and encountered many barriers in the last 10 years. From no centralized contact to a network of more than 50 active teams, this session discusses how the Oregon Department of Emergency Management reengaged CERT volunteers and built a cohesive network of support and professional development.

* Program Development

Community Engagement - The Volunteer Momentum

Presenter: Jordan Schneider 

Presentation Topics: 

• Finding and Engaging Volunteer -small populations
• Reinvigorating CERT Teams- medium-sized populations
• Engaging Demographics that have vulnerable populations
• Engaging refugee and immigrant populations
• The Concept of Significance
• Volunteers being heard & being seen
• Remembering Why We Are All Here

*Personal Development, Program Development

Plan for Kindness

Presenter: Jeanne Rasmussen - Minnesota Homeland Security and Emergency Management (Minnesota)

When a disaster occurs, people want to help. Proactively prepare yourself, employees, volunteers, clients, and the organization to respond in a disaster and learn other ways to support external disaster relief efforts. Explore options and actions that can be taken to prepare for the kindness of others. Otherwise, organizations may be overwhelmed by enthusiastic, spontaneous volunteers and unusable donations. Volunteers plus Donations don’t have to equal a Disaster during or after a Disaster.    
This presentation is specifically designed for nonprofit organizations since many attendees volunteer or work at nonprofits. However, it may apply to government units and businesses.
* Program Development

Continued from Breakout Session 1:

• TEEX PER 334: When Disaster Strikes - Prepare Act Survive

• HAM CRAM

• CERT and the Missing Person Incident

Activation and Procedures in the Opening Hours of a Disaster - How to Make Sense out of Chaos when Everything is a Mess

Presenters: Jim Yoke - San Mateo Consolidated Fire Department (California)

The opening hours of a disaster are always messy and chaotic. Incident Command is trying to understand the full scope of the disaster. Communications can be a significant problem, emergency operations centers are struggling to be established, demands on the professional emergency response system are overwhelming the supply, and CERT programs are trying to do the right thing. So are a multitude of other volunteers. In this session, we will describe how good solid planning can make this happen, explore the difficulties that will be faced, and come up with answers to those problems.
* Program Development

Keeping Things Moving - Traffic and Pedestrian Control

Presenter: Scott Barthelmass - Missouri State Emergency Management Agency (Missouri)

Participants will learn about traffic and pedestrian safety, and how CERT teams can help facilitate getting people and vehicles moving at events and incidents.  Tips on how to be safe, keep people safe, and effectively and efficiently get people across roadways and traffic moving. These skills can be very helpful.
These skills will allow CERT teams to participate in any festival, parade, or other community event or even after a disaster.

*Personal Development, Program Development

Rural CERT

Presenters: Sarah Owen, David Owen, Mary-Claire Paul, Philip Paul, Cindy Shelley - Putnam County CERT (Indiana)

Overview of how PC CERT has structured and responds most effectively in the rural Indiana environment.

*Program Development

From Hold Music to Hope: Revolutionizing Contact Centers for Disaster Recovery

Presenters: Austin Seivold, Matt Lyttle - Guidehouse 

Contact centers are crucial for disaster recovery but often face challenges like outdated processes and long wait times, leading to survivor frustration. This session offers emergency management professionals strategies to modernize contact centers and deliver survivor-centered support. Attendees will learn trauma-informed training, digital tools for efficiency, and proactive engagement techniques. Through real-world examples and discussions, participants will discover how to create scalable, resilient, and compassionate contact centers. The session provides actionable steps to improve survivor engagement, streamline operations, and address staff burnout, transforming contact centers into lifelines for disaster recovery.
* Personal Development, Program Development

CERT in a Box

Presenter: Paul Sheehan - CERT Association of Illinois (Illinois)

This session's purpose is to guide an individual who would like to lead the effort in their community to create a new Community Emergency Response Team.

* Professional Development, Program Development, Instructor Development

Continued from Breakout Session 2:

• TEEX PER 334: When Disaster Strikes - Prepare Act Survive

• HAM CRAM

Broaden Your CERT Scope - Building New Capabilities

Presenter: Jon Rosenlund - Hall County CERT (Nebraska)

The CERT program provides an amazing Basic Curriculum. Still, most jurisdictions don't have enough major emergency events like Tornadoes and Earthquakes to keep our CERT volunteers as busy as they can be, and may be. Expanding your CERT's mission, role, and function through expanding partnerships, additional training, and changes in your community can help your CERT recruit and maintain fulfilled and helpful volunteers. In this presentation, we will examine several ways a CERT team has adopted new and exciting roles that have provided opportunities for additional training, cooperative involvement, and greater impact in their community. 

* Program Development, Instructor Development

Stop the Bleed

Presenter: Indiana Public Health

What stops bleeding? In an ACS Stop the Bleed course, you’ll learn three quick techniques to help save a life before someone bleeds out: (1) How to use your hands to apply pressure to a wound; (2) How to pack a wound to control bleeding; (3) How to correctly apply a tourniquet. These three techniques will empower you to assist in an emergency and potentially save a life.

* Personal Development, Program Development, Instructor Development

NCA and State Resources for Local CERT Programs

Presenter: Don Sowers - Volunteer Tennessee (Tennessee)

Learn about available CERT program management and training resources as we tour the new National CERT Association - Resource webpages and Volunteer Tennessee’s - 2025 CERT Resource Guide. This session will include overviews of CERT program guidelines and access to several hundred CERT training and preparedness web links. We will cover CERT program Funding, Promotion, Recruiting, EMPG and HSGP Grants, Liability Concerns, EMA and CERT Volunteer Insurance, Sample SOPs, Training Videos, Exercises, Equipment & Suppliers, and future CERT Training opportunities.
* Program Development, Instructor Development

First Responder Training for Recognizing and Responding to Seizures and Seizure First Aid

Presenters: Crystal Hall - Epilepsy Foundation, Kelly Boyd - New Jersey Office of Emergency Management

The Epilepsy Foundation recently introduced a class that benefits CERT members and first responders, titled the Law Enforcement Informed Training for Recognizing and Responding to Seizures and seizure first aid (with support from Eisai Pharmaceutical), to help public safety professionals better understand epilepsy and increase their knowledge about seizures. The goal is to protect the health and safety of those living with epilepsy, especially when they may not be able to respond to a law enforcement officer’s request. The course was designed for, and with, law enforcement, public safety, correctional, and school resource officers, as well as law enforcement agency staff members.

• The Epilepsy Foundation designed the law enforcement informed training in response to concerns from people living with epilepsy and their families regarding negative encounters with law enforcement officers. 
• The Epilepsy Foundation recognizes the importance of officer safety, and the newly designed training is focused on verbal and informed approaches to respond to a person during or post seizures. 
• The Epilepsy Foundation’s goal is to protect the health and safety of people living with epilepsy and provide law enforcement officers with alternative considerations when a person may be unable to respond to a law enforcement officer’s request or their behavior may be out of the norm. 
• The Epilepsy Foundation recognizes the value of police-community relations, and is partnering with law enforcement professionals, departments, and agencies to equip law enforcement with the knowledge and tools needed when responding to critical incidents involving seizure recognition and response.
• The Epilepsy Foundation’s Law Enforcement Informed Training for Recognizing and Responding to Seizures helps public safety professionals better understand epilepsy and increases their knowledge about seizures.

* Personal Development, Program Development

Volunteers in the EOC

Presenters: Tom Huser, Monica Peterson - Hamilton County Emergency Management (Indiana)

An overview of the Hamilton County Emergency Management Volunteer Program with a focus on the EOC Volunteer Program along with the requirements, expectations and training related to staffing the EOC.

* Program Development, Instructor Development

Continued from Breakout Session 3:

• TEEX PER 334: When Disaster Strikes - Prepare Act Survive

• HAM CRAM

Hybrid CERT Train-the-Trainer (9:00 AM - 5:00 PM)

Prerequisite: Pre-register via email at training@nationalcert.org. Participant must have completed a 2019 or later CERT Train-the-Trainer course.

Instructor: John Guglielmo - University of Utah - Rocky Mountain Center for Occupational and Environmental Health (Utah)

The University of Utah- Rocky Mountain Center for Occupational and Environmental Health (RMCOEH) and UTHealth Houston (NIEHS Grant: P2R Consortium) partnered with the Utah Division of Emergency Management to developed a FEMA and National CERT Association approved online CERT training that meets the lecture portion of the CERT training requirements (12 hours online/16 hours in-person). A hands-on skills portion of the training within your local CERT program follows the course. The University of Utah has partnered with CalOES and Listos California to add two additional languages, Spanish and Mandarin.

The Train the Trainer course prepares CERT Instructors to implement the Hybrid CERT Training's online and in-person skills portion.  All attendees will receive access to this course at www.OnlineCERT.org. 

* Program Development, Instructor Development

CERT Emergency Communications Annex (9:00 AM - 2:45 PM)

Presenter: Jim Yoke - San Mateo Consolidated Fire Department (California)

This is one of the CERT modules that are FEMA supplements to the official curriculum. In this training, we examine the details of both the human organizational side and the technical side of communications as we examine different kinds of radios and their advantages and disadvantages. Great emphasis is placed on the importance of communications regarding program and incident management and the safety and accountability of CERT volunteers, which are enhanced by strong communications.
* Personal Development, Program Development

From Slides in the Deck to Boots on the Ground: Activating CERT Basics learning with Tabletop Exercises

Presenter: Deissy Vargas, Coby LaFayette, Nancy Brown, Gizela Carranza - Sonoma County Department of Emergency Management (California)

Ditch the PowerPoint and bring your training to life! This interactive session explores how scenario-based learning can transform CERT Basic Training by boosting engagement, improving retention, and building real-world decision-making skills. Attendees will learn how to design and facilitate tabletop exercises that reinforce core CERT concepts—no special equipment or drama background required. Participants will leave with ready-to-use templates, tips for managing group dynamics, and strategies to adapt scenarios to diverse communities. Come experience firsthand how learning through action creates confident, capable team members—and a lot more fun!
* Personal Development, Program Development, Instructor Development

High Risk- Low Frequency Events

Presenter: Michael S. WIlliams - Fire Services Training Institute (California)

This program is a presentation on risk management relating to high risk events that could confront volunteer first responders such as CERT teams based on Gordon Graham’s Phoenix Fire Department lecture. The primary objective is to prevent injuries and property damage. The program stresses slowing down, being aware of ones limitations, situational awareness, not exceeding capabilities and identifying risks. The conversational format also addresses Normalcy Bias and its impact on emergency situations. 

* Personal Development, Program Development

Let's Have a Party - Keeping CERT Fun and Exciting

Presenter: Scott Barthelmass - Missouri State Emergency Management Agency (Missouri)

Scott is one of NDEMUs' most energetic instructors. For years, he has made CERT Train the Trainer and Program Managers fun and exciting. In this program, he offers tips for bringing excitement to your program.
Let's Have a Party!!!!
* Personal Development, Program Development, Instructor Development

CERT Utilizing Resource Typing and Position Task Books

Presenter: Eric Martin - Middlesex County Office of Emergency Management - New Jersey

This presentation will address CERT and FEMA Resource Typing, which is a standardized classification system that categorizes emergency response resources based on capability, capacity, and qualification standards. It ensures that when resources are requested during disasters, responding agencies understand exactly what they're getting. 
Position Task Books (PTBs) are performance-based qualification documents that outline the specific competencies, behaviors, and tasks required for emergency response personnel to be considered qualified for specific positions within the incident management system. The session will open conversation on how CERT teams utilize resource typing in order to benefit their program. The focus of this session is to discuss how resource typing and PTBs can help a CERT team grow.
* Personal Development, Program Development, Instructor Development

Continued from Breakout Session 4:

• TEEX PER 334: When Disaster Strikes - Prepare Act Survive

Adding Firefighter Rehab and Support Unit Staffing to Your CERT Program

Presenter: Chad Fitzgerald - City of Clovis (California)

Discover how Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) programs can expand their impact by training and deploying volunteers in Firefighter Rehabilitation and Support Unit roles. This session will explore how CERT members can provide critical support at fire scenes—including hydration, cooling, medical monitoring, and logistical assistance—enhancing firefighter safety and operational effectiveness. Learn from real-world implementations, discuss training requirements, and explore how this role strengthens community resilience and inter-agency collaboration.

* Program Development

Filling the Holes in Whole Community

Presenter: Irene Valines - City of Miami Beach, DIvision of Emergency Management (Florida)

A whole community approach to resiliency must involve the WHOLE COMMUNITY.  But where do you begin? When it became apparent that resident, business, and faith-based volunteer programs are some of the best assets for whole community resilience, Miami Beach looked to its existing CERT training program and enhanced it. Miami Beach CERT Program Manager Irene Valines explains the program's evolution and how buy-in from City leadership, new policy implementation, and community partnerships brought CERT to a new level.  
* Personal Development, Program Development

National Weather Service Damage Surveys, How are they Different from FEMA Damage Assessments

Presenter: Sam Lashley - National Weather Service Indianapolis (Indiana)

This presentation will discuss the significant differences between damage surveys conducted by the National Weather Service and damage assessments conducted by local Emergency Management officials and members of FEMA following hazardous weather events such as tornadoes, severe thunderstorms and flooding. A general timeline of activities following a significant weather event will be shown, along with examples of damage from tornadoes and how they are rated based on the Enhanced Fujita (EF) Scale.
* Personal Development, Program Development

The First Ten Minutes

Presenter: Jay Royster - North Carolina Emergency Management (North Carolina)

If you called 911 for an emergency RIGHT NOW, it could take ten minutes for help to arrive. What can you do to help your patient until more advanced care arrives? We will cover scene size-up, patient assessments, and skills to stabilize a variety of injuries and illnesses.

* Individual Development

Continued from Breakout Session 5:

• TEEX PER 334: When Disaster Strikes - Prepare Act Survive
• Hybrid CERT Train-the-Trainer
• CERT Emergency Communications

Join us for lunch in Hendricks A/B to hear an engaging panel discussion on the NCA and its regional representatives. The NCA regional representatives (East, West, and Central) will introduce themselves, explain their roles with the NCA, and answer questions. Boxed lunch provided.

CERT and the Missing Person Incident (repeat session; 1:30 PM - 4:15 PM)

Presenter: Eric Martin - Middlesex County Office of Emergency Management (New Jersey)

Missing person incidents can become extremely complex in a blink of an eye. These incidents vary in challenges that can change depending on which part of the country the incident takes place such as outdoor enthusiast in the Grand Canyon or criminal influence in an urban environment. While the science of search management is a common feature throughout, the importance of establishing a formal Incident Management System (IMS) to support the Command and General Staff positions, branches, and units may be a struggle. This is where CERT becomes a fantastic resource at these types of incidents. Topics that will be discussed include various ICS forms, search urgency, and the Lost Person Questionnaire.   

* Personal Development, Program Development, Instructor Development

Psychological First Aid: More than a Band-Aid (1:30 PM - 4:15 PM)

Presenter: Phyllis Worell - Burlington County Health Department/Office of Emergency Management (New Jersey)

PFA is an evidence-informed approach to helping survivors in the immediate aftermath of disaster. This class will provide an interactive overview of PFA with scenarios and real-world examples of the benefit of providing this training to any community disaster volunteer engaged during and after response. Burlington County, NJ, has experience working with survivors of multiple disasters. Having trained EM volunteers, in spite of the volunteer's response assignment for the mission, works. Recognizing/supporting the emotional needs of these survivors helps them move on to a place where they can start rebuilding their lives. More than a Band-Aid.

* Personal Development, Program Development

Power of Preparedness: Why readiness matters more than ever in today's world (repeat session)

Presenter: Telfany Morgan - Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

The Power of Preparedness is the advantage and peace of mind YOU gain by not waiting until it’s too late. Whether it’s your personal life, business life, military or security, or even emergency management, the "power and beauty of preparedness" refers to the strength, confidence, and effectiveness that comes from being ready for potential challenges, risks, or opportunities BEFORE they happen. It simply emphasizes the idea that YOUR planning ahead and being equipped in advance can significantly improve outcomes and reduce negative impacts in uncertain situations.
THAT is what CERT does. It prepares you. It equips you. It gives YOU, the first responder on almost every scene, the training and the communication skills, to increase the chance of saving lives. 
Benjamin Franklin’s death preceded the first presidential election in 1789. However, he left us with the famous quote “Failing to prepare is preparing to fail.” – Benjamin Franklin. 
196 years later, the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) concept was developed and implemented by the Los Angeles City Fire Department in 1985, and 204 years later it became a national program in 1993. Preparedness is not the job of professionals—everyone has a role to play. CERT programs are intricate to continuing this paradigm. 
Join me for an engaging and interactive discussion on how compelling CERT programs are, and how we as CERT leaders, can single handily help to accelerate recovery once a disaster/emergency clears. 
* Personal Development, Program Development

Weather 101 and Spotter Training

Presenter: Sam Lashley - National Weather Service Indianapolis (Indiana)

This presentation will focus on severe thunderstorms/tornadoes/flash flooding and how to observe and report significant weather to your local NWS Office. Information on weather preparedness and safety will also be shown with an emphasis on observing the weather and staying safe when deployed. 

* Personal Development, Program Development

Naloxone Administration for the Lay Responder

Presenter: Christopher Cooley - Marion Health, Putnam County CERT (Indiana)

This class will train others in the administration of Naloxone as well as the issues behind the opioid epidemic in our country.

* Personal Development

Continued from Breakout Session 6:

• Hybrid CERT Train-the-Trainer
• CERT Emergency Communications

Building an Advanced CERT Program

Presenter: Chad Fitzgerald - City of Clovis (California)

CERT programs are well known for their role in disaster preparedness and response, but their potential doesn't end there. This breakout session explores how to build an advanced CERT program that empowers volunteers to contribute meaningfully outside of emergency scenarios. From supporting public health initiatives and community outreach to assisting with traffic control, event support, and situational awareness, CERT volunteers can be a powerful force for resilience every day of the year.

Participants will learn how to expand the scope of their CERT program, develop specialized training modules, and create partnerships with local agencies to integrate volunteers into non-emergency operations. The session will also cover best practices for recruiting, retaining, and recognizing highly engaged CERT members. Whether starting a new team or looking to evolve an existing one, this session will provide practical strategies and inspiring ideas to take your CERT program to the next level.
*Program Development, Instructor Development

First Responder Training for Recognizing and Responding to Seizures and Seizure First Aid (repeat session)

Presenters: Crystal Hall - Epilepsy Foundation, Kelly Boyd - New Jersey Office of Emergency Management

The Epilepsy Foundation recently introduced a class that benefits CERT members and first responders, titled the Law Enforcement Informed Training for Recognizing and Responding to Seizures and seizure first aid (with support from Eisai Pharmaceutical), to help public safety professionals better understand epilepsy and increase their knowledge about seizures. The goal is to protect the health and safety of those living with epilepsy, especially when they may not be able to respond to a law enforcement officer’s request. The course was designed for, and with, law enforcement, public safety, correctional, and school resource officers, as well as law enforcement agency staff members.

• The Epilepsy Foundation designed the law enforcement informed training in response to concerns from people living with epilepsy and their families regarding negative encounters with law enforcement officers. 
• The Epilepsy Foundation recognizes the importance of officer safety, and the newly designed training is focused on verbal and informed approaches to respond to a person during or post seizures. 
• The Epilepsy Foundation’s goal is to protect the health and safety of people living with epilepsy and provide law enforcement officers with alternative considerations when a person may be unable to respond to a law enforcement officer’s request or their behavior may be out of the norm. 
• The Epilepsy Foundation recognizes the value of police-community relations, and is partnering with law enforcement professionals, departments, and agencies to equip law enforcement with the knowledge and tools needed when responding to critical incidents involving seizure recognition and response.
• The Epilepsy Foundation’s Law Enforcement Informed Training for Recognizing and Responding to Seizures helps public safety professionals better understand epilepsy and increases their knowledge about seizures.

* Personal Development, Program Development

Bites, Stings, and Scratches: Wildlife First Aid Response

Presenter: Gail Brekke - Prairie View A&M University Undergraduate Medical Academy (Texas)

The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) is often involved in rescues that might involve wildlife. While CERT members are trained in first aid, Wildlife First Aid Response teaches additional skills necessary to treat injuries incurred from wildlife. The United States is home to many creatures, including reptiles, amphibians, mammals, aquatic life, and birds. All of these animals are capable of injuring humans, either through bites, stings, or scratches. This course identifies wildlife, wildlife injuries, and emergency treatment. The class teaches immediate response and how to alleviate symptoms until medical help can be reached. For example, students will be taught how to identify the four venomous snakes in the continental US, the identification of injury, and immediate treatment. In addition, native species, such as scorpions, vinegaroons, fire ants, raccoons, bats, armadillos, jellyfish, hawks and eagles, will be discussed. The session will prepare CERT members to recognize wildlife, identify wildlife injuries, and render immediate first aid. A certificate can be issued.

* Personal Development

How to Keep CERT Training Fun and Engaging

Presenter: Michael Davis - Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (Conneticut)

This session introduces various methods and how to utilize various types of instruction to enhance the learning environment.  The learner will be able to discuss how to create and deliver training presentations with well-structured, easy-to-read slides, and encourage active participation during the whole learning experience.  The learner will be able to identify the four main learning styles: visual, auditory, reading/writing, and kinesthetic. Using all types of teaching instructional methods can enhance the learning environment to keep the material relevant and engaging. The learner will be able to enhance training presentations to ensure “Accessibility” for all learners. This refers to ensuring people with disabilities can access the same information fully and independently as people without disabilities.    
 

Continued from Breakout Session 6:

• Hybrid CERT Train-the-Trainer
• CERT Emergency Communications

Hybrid CERT Updates 2025 (repeat session)

Presenter: Rachel Brown - University of Utah - Rocky Mountain Center for Occupational and Environmental Health (Utah)

The University of Utah- Rocky Mountain Center for Occupational and Environmental Health (RMCOEH) and UTHealth Houston (NIEHS Grant: P2R Consortium) partnered with the Utah Division of Emergency Management to develop a FEMA and National CERT Association approved online CERT training that meets the lecture portion of the CERT training requirements (12 hours online/16 hours in-person). A hands-on skills portion of the training within your local CERT program follows the course. The University of Utah has partnered with CalOES and Listos California to add (2) additional languages of Spanish and Mandarin.

In addition to reviewing the basic Hybrid CERT tools for new programs, the Hybrid CERT update will include recent updates since 2024 for existing programs and encourage an interactive discussion with questions regarding the program and what additional tools programs would like to see added. All attendees will receive access to this course and upcoming updates for 2025. www.OnlineCERT.org

 * Program Development, Instructor Development

Community Engagement - The Volunteer Momentum (repeat session)

Presenter: Jordan Schneider

Presentation Topics: 

• Finding and Engaging Volunteer -small populations

• Reinvigorating CERT Teams- medium-sized populations

• Engaging Demographics that have vulnerable populations

• Engaging refugee and immigrant populations

• The Concept of Significance

• Volunteers being heard & being seen

• Remembering Why We Are All Here

* Personal Development, Program Development

Volunteer ICS Tabletop Exercise (9:00 AM - 11:45 AM)

Facilitator: Brenda Emrick - National CERT Association (California)

This exercise is designed to assist volunteers with decision-making, volunteer leadership, and team organization within a TTX exercise. It will be the largest TTX exercise in NCA History.

* Personal Development, Program Development, Instructor Development

From Hold Music to Hope (repeat session)

Presenters: Austin Seivold and Matt Lyttle - Guidehouse

Contact centers are crucial for disaster recovery but often face challenges like outdated processes and long wait times, leading to survivor frustration. This session offers emergency management professionals strategies to modernize contact centers and deliver survivor-centered support. Attendees will learn trauma-informed training, digital tools for efficiency, and proactive engagement techniques. Through real-world examples and discussions, participants will discover how to create scalable, resilient, and compassionate contact centers. The session provides actionable steps to improve survivor engagement, streamline operations, and address staff burnout, transforming contact centers into lifelines for disaster recovery.

* Personal Development, Program Development

A Novel Opportunity for CERT Volunteers: Responding to Radiological and Nuclear Incidents

Presenters: Jay Royster, Sean Canoy - North Carolina Emergency Management (North Carolina)

Over 30% of Americans live within 50 miles of a nuclear power plant. Radiological equipment and materials are used in industrial and medical facilities across the US every day and are transported on our roads and railways. If a radiological emergency occurred, thousands of people may require monitoring and sheltering. Emergency management agencies will be overwhelmed - That’s where the Radiological Emergency Volunteer Corps (REVC) can help!

REVC is a group of trained volunteers who are prepared to respond to radiological emergencies in North Carolina. In the event of such an emergency, they will assist with setting up and/or operating population monitoring points at community reception centers. Our volunteers go through significant training to join REVC. Once they are approved, they can participate in drills and exercises to help test the abilities of emergency management agencies to respond to radiological emergencies and respond to actual incidents. Learn how
you can implement this training in your state!

* Program Development

Psychological First Aid: More than a Band-Aid ( 9:00 AM - 11:45 AM; repeat session)

Presenter: Phyllis Worrell - Burlington County Health Department/Office of Emergency Management (New Jersey)

PFA is an evidence-informed approach to helping survivors in the immediate aftermath of disaster. This class will provide an interactive overview of PFA with scenarios and real-world examples of the benefit of providing this training to any community disaster volunteer engaged during and after response. Burlington County, NJ, has experience working with survivors of multiple disasters. Having trained EM volunteers, in spite of the volunteer's response assignment for the mission, works. Recognizing/supporting the emotional needs of these survivors helps them move on to a place where they can start rebuilding their lives. More than a Band-Aid.

Plan for Kindness (repeat session)

Presenter: Jeanne Rasmussen - Minnesota Homeland Security and Emergency Management (Minnesota)

When a disaster occurs, people want to help. Proactively prepare yourself, employees, volunteers, clients, and the organization to respond in a disaster and learn other ways to support external disaster relief efforts. Explore options and actions that can be taken to prepare for the kindness of others. Otherwise, organizations may be overwhelmed by enthusiastic, spontaneous volunteers and unusable donations. Volunteers plus Donations don’t have to equal a Disaster during or after a Disaster. This presentation is specifically designed for nonprofit organizations since many attendees volunteer or work at nonprofits. However, it may apply to government units and businesses.

* Program Development

Broaden Your CERT Scope: Building New Capabilities (repeat session)

Presenter: Jon Rosenlund - Hall County CERT (Nebraska)

Broaden Your CERT Scope: Building New Capabilities -Program Development, Instructor Development
The CERT program provides an amazing Basic Curriculum. Still, most jurisdictions don't have enough major emergency events like Tornadoes and Earthquakes to keep our CERT volunteers as busy as they can be, and may be. Expanding your CERT's mission, role, and function through expanding partnerships, additional training, and changes in your community can help your CERT recruit and maintain fulfilled and helpful volunteers. In this presentation, we will examine several ways a CERT team has adopted new and exciting roles that have provided opportunities for additional training, cooperative involvement, and greater impact in their community. 

* Program Development, Instructor Development

CERT in a Box (repeat session)

Presenter: Paul Sheehan - CERT Association of Illinois (Illinois)

This session's purpose is to guide an individual who would like to lead the effort in their community to create a new Community Emergency Response Team.

* Personal Development, Program Development, Instructor Development

Stop the Bleed (repeat session)

Presenter: Indiana Public Health

What stops bleeding? In an ACS Stop the Bleed course, you’ll learn three quick techniques to help save a life before someone bleeds out: (1) How to use your hands to apply pressure to a wound; (2) How to pack a wound to control bleeding; (3) How to correctly apply a tourniquet. These three techniques will empower you to assist in an emergency and potentially save a life.

* Personal Development, Program Development, Instructor Development

Continued from Breakout Session 9:

• Volunteer ICS TTX
• Psychological First Aid: More than a Band-Aid

Join the NCA for its annual General Membership Annual Business Meeting. 

Boxed lunches provided.

More Fun Team Building Activities (Part 2)

Presenter: Dee Lehrman - Milton Township CERT (Illinois)

Team building is a necessity in any organization. It builds trust, communication, morale and identifies strengths and weaknesses in teams. It can also aid in identifying leaders. In this presentation Dee will share MORE team building activities you can use to strengthen your CERT team. She will share her Rescue Room Activity (retake of the escape room), how she uses Disasterville for training and her Scavenger Hunt.

* Personal Development, Program Development, Instructor Development

Rural CERT (repeat session)

Presenters: Sarah Owen, David Owen, Mary-Claire Paul, Philip Paul, Cindy Shelley - Putnam County CERT IIndiana)

Overview of how PC CERT has structured and responds most effectively in the rural Indiana environment.

* Program Development

CERT Utilizing Resource Typing and Position Task Books (PTBs) (repeat session)

Presenter: Eric Martin - Middlesex County Office of Emergency Management (New Jersey)

This presentation will address CERT and FEMA Resource Typing, which is a standardized classification system that categorizes emergency response resources based on capability, capacity, and qualification standards. It ensures that when resources are requested during disasters, responding agencies understand exactly what they're getting. 
Position Task Books (PTBs) are performance-based qualification documents that outline the specific competencies, behaviors, and tasks required for emergency response personnel to be considered qualified for specific positions within the incident management system. The session will open conversation on how CERT teams utilize resource typing in order to benefit their program. The focus of this session is to discuss how resource typing and PTBs can help a CERT team grow.
* Personal Development, Program Development, Instructor Development.

National Weather Service Damage Surveys: How are they Different from FEMA Damage Assessments (repeat session)

Presenter: Sam Lashley - National Weather Service Indianapolis (Indiana)

This presentation will discuss the significant differences between damage surveys conducted by the National Weather Service and damage assessments conducted by local Emergency Management officials and members of FEMA following hazardous weather events such as tornadoes, severe thunderstorms and flooding. A general timeline of activities following a significant weather event will be shown, along with examples of damage from tornadoes and how they are rated based on the Enhanced Fujita (EF) Scale.
* Personal Development, Program Development

Starting a Rehab Unit - Supporting First Responders Like They Support Us

Presenter: Scott Barthelmass - Missouri State Emergency Management Agency (Missouri

Many CERT programs are sponsored and taught by first responder organizations. The men and women of those organizations work hard to keep our communities safe. CERT teams can support their first responders at big calls by providing on-scene rehab. Rehab can include providing food, drinks, and even cold towels so our first responders can continue to work hard, particularly at major events. The St. Louis First Responder Canteen was born out of CERT members' desire to help area first responders more. It offers a great model for others to follow across the country.

* Personal Development, Program Development

Animals in Disaster: CERT Annex Part I & II

Instructor: Samantha Royster - North Carolina Emergency Management (North Carolina)

This two-part course is designed to help in neighborhood planning for assisting animals in a disaster Part 1: A broad introduction to animal behavior and what you need to know as a CERT volunteer dealing with animals to keep yourself safe while doing the best for the animal(s). Part 2: Animal Issues in Emergency Management: Planning for animals in a disaster - focus on domestic animals—information on why animal preparedness and response actions are critical to disaster response.

* Personal Development, Program Development

Teen CERT Annex

Instructor: Brenda Emrick - National CERT Association (California)

This course annex is designed for participants who have completed the CERT Train the Trainer and will deliver the program to youth. The course covers topics on marketing and maintaining a teen program, learning techniques for teaching adolescents, managing a teen classroom, and the evaluation process. A draft program plan and teaching segment are included in this 3.5-hour course.

* Program Development, Instructor Development
 

More Fun Team Building Activities (repeat session)

Presenter: Dee Lehrman - Milton Township CERT (Illinois)

Team building is a necessity in any organization. It builds trust, communication, morale and identifies strengths and weaknesses in teams. It can also aid in identifying leaders. In this presentation Dee will share MORE team building activities you can use to strengthen your CERT team. She will share her Rescue Room Activity (retake of the escape room), how she uses Disasterville for training and her Scavenger Hunt.

* Personal Development, Program Development, Instructor Development

NCA and State Resources for Local CERT Programs (repeat session)

Presenter: Don Sowers - Volunteer Tennessee (Tennessee)

Learn about available CERT program management and training resources as we tour the new National CERT Association - Resource webpages and Volunteer Tennessee’s - 2025 CERT Resource Guide. This session will include overviews of CERT program guidelines and access to several hundred CERT training and preparedness web links. We will cover CERT program Funding, Promotion, Recruiting, EMPG and HSGP Grants, Liability Concerns, EMA and CERT Volunteer Insurance, Sample SOPs, Training Videos, Exercises, Equipment & Suppliers, and future CERT Training opportunities.
* Program Development, Instructor Development

Building an Advanced CERT Program (repeat session)

Presenter: Chad Fitzgerald - City of Clovis (Calfiornia)

CERT programs are well known for their role in disaster preparedness and response, but their potential doesn't end there. This breakout session explores how to build an advanced CERT program that empowers volunteers to contribute meaningfully outside of emergency scenarios. From supporting public health initiatives and community outreach to assisting with traffic control, event support, and situational awareness, CERT volunteers can be a powerful force for resilience every day of the year.

Participants will learn how to expand the scope of their CERT program, develop specialized training modules, and create partnerships with local agencies to integrate volunteers into non-emergency operations. The session will also cover best practices for recruiting, retaining, and recognizing highly engaged CERT members. Whether starting a new team or looking to evolve an existing one, this session will provide practical strategies and inspiring ideas to take your CERT program to the next level.
* Program Development, Instructor Development

Weather 101 and Spotter Training (repeat session)

Presenter: Sam Lashley - National Weather Service Indianapolis (Indiana)

This presentation will focus on severe thunderstorms/tornadoes/flash flooding and how to observe and report significant weather to your local NWS Office. Information on weather preparedness and safety will also be shown with an emphasis on observing the weather and staying safe when deployed.

* Personal Development, Program Development

AI and CERT: Using AI to Enhance Your CERT Program

Presenter: Denise School - Chino Police Department

Discover how Artificial Intelligence (AI) can enhance your CERT program with practical, easy-to-implement tools. This session will showcase real examples like generating training scenarios, creating outreach materials, analyzing data, and improving communication with diverse communities. Whether you're a tech expert or just getting started, learn how AI can save time, boost engagement, and strengthen your program’s impact.

Continued from Breakout Session 11:

• Teen CERT Annex
• Animals in Disasters Part I & II Annex