ABOUT US

WHAT IS CERT?

San Luis Obispo (SLO) County Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) unites communities through training, preparedness, and volunteer service.

SLO County CERT is a community-centered volunteer program focused on preparing residents for natural disasters. Volunteers are trained to respond safely and effectively, applying their skills to protect neighborhoods, workplaces, and local agencies when disasters occur.

OUR MISSION, PURPOSE, VISION & PHILOSOPHY

SLO County CERT helps create, support, and maintain local CERT programs across the county.

Mission:

To educate and train county residents in disaster preparedness and emergency response, enabling them to protect themselves, assist their neighbors, and support local emergency agencies safely and effectively.

Purpose:

To create a resilient county where every resident is empowered with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to respond to disasters, support their community, and reduce the impact of emergencies.

Vision:

A resilient SLO County where every neighborhood is prepared for disasters, and community members act confidently to protect lives and property.

Philosophy:

CERT is based on the principle that well-prepared, trained citizens can significantly improve community safety and resilience. By fostering teamwork, self-reliance, and proactive engagement, volunteers become a vital extension of emergency services during disasters.

OUR GOALS & VALUES

Goals:

Our program strives to achieve the following outcomes to enhance community disaster readiness: → Equip residents with practical disaster response skills

→ Develop strong neighborhood and workplace preparedness teams

→ Enhance public safety and emergency response capacity

→ Support local agencies during disaster events

Values:

SLO County CERT operates according to core principles that guide our actions and volunteer culture:

→ Safety first for volunteers and community members

→ Teamwork, collaboration, and leadership

→ Community engagement and volunteerism

→ Resilience, readiness, and proactive preparedness

COMMUNITY IMPACT

CERT volunteers strengthen local preparedness by:

→ Participating in neighborhood programs and public safety initiatives

→ Supporting emergency services during disaster events

→ Promoting awareness about the natural hazards

→ Engaging in specialty training to respond to earthquakes, tsunamis, wildfires, flooding, and other disasters and emergencies.

WHY CERT?

During large-scale disasters, emergency services may be overwhelmed. CERT training provides the tools and confidence to protect yourself, family, and community until professional responders are available.

CERT IS DESIGNED FOR:

→ Families and individuals

→ Business owners and employees

→ Neighborhood groups

→ Anyone interested in supporting community response

WHAT DO CERT VOLUNTEERS DO?

CERT volunteers are trained to:

→ Safely shut off utilities during emergencies

→ Use firefighting techniques to manage small fires

→ Administer medical aid in disaster situations

→ Perform light search and rescue operations

→ Foster self-reliance and enhance neighborhood preparedness

Volunteers also gain access to emergency communications networks and regularly train together to support community safety.

PROGRAMS AND TRAINING

Residents can join one of the local CERT programs - Atascadero, Paso Robles, Cambria, or Estero Bay - to complete a CERT Basic Training course, participate in advanced specialty courses, and become active members in community preparedness efforts. Each program is tailored to the hazards specific to its region, offering relevant skills and hands-on practice.

LEARN MORE ABOUT PROGRAMS VIEW TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES