Program Eligibility Requirements:

NYC CERT is a public program and training is available to all city residents, as well as those who work in NYC, provided they are interested in becoming a resource during disasters. The requirements are:

Members are affiliated with a community team by their legal residence. The volunteer commitment is for at least one year of service following graduation.

If you are interested in becoming an active member of your community team, please contact OEM to be put in contact with the current team chief. You will be asked to meet with the team prior to attending the training to make sure your expectations meet the expectations of the program.

10-Week Training

Classes are held on consecutive evenings for 10 weeks within one of the five boroughs.  NYC CERT instructors are active FDNY, NYPD, and OEM personnel.  The NYC CERT curriculum has been adapted from the FEMA national program to reflect the unique risks and hazards of living and working in New York City.  Classes are approximately three hours long and are interactive with relevant emergency and disaster discussions and group building activities based on the Incident Command System (ICS).

The 10 weeks of training include:

• Introduction to NYC CERT and ICS
• Urban Environment I, II, III: High-rise and Utility Emergencies, Transportation, and Building Community Disaster Networks
• Disaster Medical Operations
• Fire Safety
• Light Search and Rescue
• Police Science and Terrorism Awareness

At the end of the training, volunteers will participate in a disaster simulation that ties the entire curriculum for response and ICS, including live “victims” from active CERTs.

Upon completion of the 10 weeks of training, volunteers will participate in a graduation ceremony.