Community Emergency Response Team

When disaster strikes, will you be ready to act? The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program empowers you with the basic knowledge and skills to take action during an emergency.

In Renton, there are about 32 firefighters on duty serving a community of over 100,000 residents on any given day. If a disaster occurs, these professional first responders will be overwhelmed with requests for help. Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) teaches you to how to provide emergency assistance safely and effectively until trained responders arrive.

Renton CERT classes are taught by local subject matter experts including firefighters, police officers, chaplains, emergency managers, and medical professionals. Learn to extinguish fires, conduct search and rescue, provide basic first aid, identify and respond to terrorism, assist professional responders, reduce survivor stress, and prepare yourself and your community for emergencies.

Registration

Classes are free and open to the public. Renton CERT is typically offered twice a year—in fall and spring.

CERT runs for seven weeks, concluding with a final drill. Spring 2026 CERT class will begin recruiting in mid-December.

Graduated from CERT?

If you are a Renton resident and have graduated from a CERT program in another city, please email EM@rentonwa.gov to get involved in Renton's CERT program.