Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)

The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program trains people to be better prepared to respond to emergency situations in their communities during disasters. When emergencies happen, CERT members can give critical support to first responders, provide immediate assistance to victims, and organize spontaneous volunteers at a disaster site. CERT members can also help with non-emergency projects that improve the safety of the community.

The CERT course is taught in the community by a trained team of first responders and trained CERT members who have completed a CERT Train-the-Trainer course conducted by their state training office for Emergency Management, or FEMA’s Emergency Management Institute (EMI), located in Emmitsburg, Maryland. CERT training includes disaster preparedness, disaster fire suppression, basic disaster medical operations, as well as light search and rescue operations.

2023 Program Information

The next CERT Training classes will meet every Tuesday night, from 7 to 9 p.m., March 21 through May 16. Classes will be held at Bedford Fire Station No. 1, located at 1816 Bedford Rd.

The program is free, and registration is required by Monday, February 20. 

CERT classes are open to citizens of Bedford and Bedford business employees, who are at least 18 years of age or older. Participants who enroll in the 10-week program meet once a week. Instruction includes hands-on activities and a staged disaster drill. After completing the initial course, CERT members have continued education classes will be held over additional topics and an annual field day will be held as a refresher course.

If you are interested in becoming a CERT member, please complete the CERT Application and email it to bedford.fire@bedfordtx.gov or bring it to Central Fire Station, 1816 Bedford Rd.

CERT Activities

Upon completion of CERT training, members may respond and provide assistance to emergency first responders in an emergency situation or volunteer support in a non-emergency situation, such as:

  • Missing person searches
  • Coordinating volunteers and their efforts
  • Answering phones
  • Assist in community education and outreach on emergency preparedness
  • Man first-aid stations at community events
  • And other opportunities