The City of West Hollywood is urging community members to prepare for emergencies by participating in the Los Angeles County Fire Department’s Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training program. This free series of workshops aims to equip residents with essential skills to respond effectively in the wake of a disaster.
Scheduled for Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on May 1, 6, 8, 13, 15, 22, and 27, 2025, the CERT training will be held at Plummer Park’s Great Hall, located at 7377 Santa Monica Boulevard. Due to limited availability and high expected demand, registration is required, and participants must attend all sessions to earn a completion certificate. Interested individuals can sign up through the LA County Fire Department’s CERT training website.
In the aftermath of a disaster, professional responders such as police, firefighters, and medical personnel may be overwhelmed, leaving communities to depend on each other for immediate assistance. The CERT program, originally developed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), teaches fundamental fire safety and life-saving techniques to bridge this gap.
Through the training, participants will gain critical knowledge in areas such as disaster preparedness, terrorism awareness, fire suppression, disaster psychology, basic medical operations, light search and rescue, team coordination, and simulated drills. These skills can prove invaluable during the critical early moments following a major emergency, empowering residents to support their neighbors and enhance community resilience.
