Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)

Applications available online (PDF) or at Station 61 at 350 W. Newmark Avenue.

The City of Monterey Park Fire and Police departments are prepared for all types of emergencies. However, during a disaster, the number and scope of incidents can overwhelm conventional emergency services. To assist members of the community to be prepared during a disaster and to learn how to assist others, the Monterey Park Fire Department is sponsoring the Community Emergency Response Team Program. The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program is an all-risk, all hazard training course for members of the community. This valuable course is designed to help you protect yourself, your family, your neighbors, and your neighborhood in an emergency situation.

It is about readiness, people helping people, rescuer safety and doing the greatest good for the greatest number. CERT is a positive and realistic approach to emergency and disaster situations where citizens may initially be on their own and their actions can make a difference. While people will respond to others in need without the training, one goal of the CERT Program is to help our residents do so effectively and efficiently without being placed in unnecessary danger.

CERT classes are frequently held on four Saturday sessions which includes a disaster simulation drill. The training course is free to residents of Monterey Park and consists of:

  • Utilities: Learning how and where to turn off gas meters, electricity, and water service if leaking or broken pipes are detected.
  • Putting out small fires using an extinguisher.
  • Certification on CPR and AED.
  • Helping triage victims by controlling bleeding, treating for shock and providing basic medical aid.
  • Organizing yourself and volunteers to be effective towards aiding victims.
  • Collecting disaster intelligence to support first responder efforts.

Please complete an application and submit via email if you are interested. You will then be contacted when a class program has been scheduled. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Captain Justin Birrell via email or at 626-307-1271.