Cert training is a comprehensive, 24-hour course that will train you to prepare for, respond to, and recover from major disasters .Training subjects include:

• Disaster Preparedness
• CERT Organization
• Fire Safety
• Medical Operations
• Search and Rescue
• Disaster Psychology
• Terrorism
• National Incident Management System
• Disaster Simulation

Re-certification is an essential aspect of the Villa Park CERT program to ensure that all volunteers responding to a major disaster or assisting first responders are current in their education and training.

Members wishing to touch-up on their skills are encouraged to complete FEMA's IS-317 course. IS- 317, is an independent study course that serves as an introduction to CERT. It has six modules with topics that include an Introduction to CERT, Fire Safety, Hazardous Material and Terrorist Incidents, Disaster Medical Operations, and Search and Rescue. It takes between six and eight hours to complete and serves as a great refresher.

FEMA’s Independent Study Program is a distance learning program offered free of charge to the American public.  It serves as both an alternate means to deliver valuable training to the professional and volunteer emergency management community, and an opportunity to improve public awareness and promote disaster preparedness nationally. 

Villa Park CERT Level 1 - Prepared Level

The BE PREPARED Disaster Preparedness Program is designed to fill three important needs, making it as easy as possible for a household to become prepared for a disaster. These needs are:

1. Disaster Survival Knowledge
We’ve developed a 2-hour training course that includes a take-home manual. At the conclusion you’ll know what to do before, during and after a regional disaster.

2. Emergency Equipment and Supplies
We’ll provide you with a shopping list so you can assemble an emergency supply kit or you can purchase a ready-made kit.

3. Food and Water to Last Three Days
The size of this emergency reserve is determined by the number of people in your household. We’ll provide you with a shopping list so you can assemble your own or you can purchase ready-made modules.

Villa Park CERT Level 2 - Neighborhood Response Level

• CERT Level 1 requirements
• Completion of the initial 24-hour CERT training
  

Villa Park CERT Level 3 - Community Response Level

• CERT Level 1 and 2 requirements
• Completion of FEMA independent study courses
  • IS 100: Introduction to the Incident Command System (ICS)
  • IS 700: Introduction to the National Incident Management System (NIMS)

CERT members must do any one of the following annually to maintain active status:

• Planning and implementation of one CERT meeting/tabletop/disaster drill annually
• The completion of two American Red Cross or FEMA continuing education courses
  • www.oc-redcross.com
  • http://training.fema.gov/