Summary
CERT stands for Community Emergency Response Team. It is a FEMA program that teaches ordinary people how to help their neighbors after an earthquake, fire, or other disaster, during the hours or days before professional responders can reach everyone.
The City of Seal Beach, the Seal Beach Police Department, and West County CERT ran a basic CERT class in the summer of 2026. West County CERT serves volunteers who live or work in Buena Park, Cypress, La Palma, Los Alamitos, Seal Beach, Westminster, and nearby communities.
The class was 20 hours spread over two weekends: Friday, July 31 from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.; Saturday, August 1 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; Friday, August 7 from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.; and Saturday, August 8 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Attending all four days was required to finish. It was held at the Joint Forces Training Base, Building 244, 11200 Lexington Drive, Los Alamitos.
Topics included disaster preparedness, medical operations, light search and rescue, fire suppression, team organization, and emotional first aid.
Anyone 18 or older could sign up. Teens aged 16 and 17 needed permission from a parent or guardian. Children aged 13 to 15 could attend only if a parent or guardian took the class alongside them.
The cost was $25, which covered training supplies and materials. After finishing the basic class, graduates could pursue advanced CERT training and volunteer at community preparedness events and during disaster response across west Orange County.
To ask about future classes, email WestCountyCertAcademy@gmail.com or call (714) 229-6625.