CERT

Be prepared for the next emergency or disaster by completing the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training offered by the Cities of Burien and Des Moines!

On a normal day, emergency services personnel are the best trained and equipped to handle emergencies and we all count on them for their expertise. However, following a catastrophic disaster, emergency response personnel may not be able to help everyone immediately, because of the size of the area affected, loss of communications, and impassable roads. Upon successful completion of the course, you will receive a CERT certificate and be better prepared to assist your family, neighborhood, and community in an emergency.

CERT training gives you the skills to help save and sustain lives following a disaster until help arrives.

This is a free course open to those who live or work in Burien, Des Moines, and Normandy Park! See below for more information.

2024 Training Sessions

When: Training sessions are held every Wednesday between July 10 and 31 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., with a final drill scheduled for Saturday, August 3, from noon to 2 p.m.

Where: The training sessions will take place at 2255 S. 223rd St, Des Moines.

Through instruction and hands-on activities, you will learn:

Disaster Preparedness

  • Hazards most likely to affect the community
  • How to prepare yourself

Disaster Fire Extinguishment

  • Reduce fire risks
  • Engage in limited fire extinguishment using basic safety precautions

Disaster Medical Operations

  • Manage airway obstruction
  • Excessive bleeding
  • Treatment of wounds and shock in disaster victims
  • Methods of prioritizing multiple patients

Search and Rescue

  • Coordinate searches and rescues
  • Searching a structure
  • Debris removal
  • Victim extrication
  • Rescuer protection

Disaster Psychology

  • Identify and relieve post-disaster emotional stressors in rescuers and survivors

Team Organization

  • Organize and function as a team with other CERT members during a disaster

Contact Us


Emergency Management

 [email protected]

 (206) 241-4647

Updated May 15, 2024