The Washoe County Sheriff’s Office Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) is taking applications for those wanting to serve the people of Washoe County. CERT provides residents with the information they need to help save lives and reduce trauma in the event of an emergency. CERT training includes disaster preparedness, emergency medical techniques, fire safety, light search and rescue, disaster psychology, and terrorism awareness education.
Approximately 280 volunteers currently serve in the Sheriff’s Office Citizen Corps Program (CCP). The Program consists of three teams: Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), Rail Auxiliary Team (also known as the RAT Pack), and Citizens Homeland Security Council (CHSC).
The Sheriff’s Office CERT volunteers were recognized by Governor Steve Sisolak in April of 2020 for their immediate response during the COVID-19 pandemic. (See video here)
CERT is more than emergency response; CERT is about community. This program provides community outreach, preparedness education and added support to emergency responders during large scale emergencies helping to protect our community. Volunteers provide the following services: traffic control; staffing first aid booths; helping at special events such as the Reno Air Races, Reno Rodeo, Reno Balloon Races, and Community Safety Day to name a few.
No special skills are required. You must 18 years old to participate in the CERT Program.
To sign up contact:
CERT Program Manager Joe Olaciregui
(775) 325-6927
email: WCSOCERT@washoecounty.us
