Get Involved

In 95 percent of all emergencies, the victim or a bystander provides the first immediate assistance on the scene.  Through Citizen Corps programs and affiliates, you can prepare for emergencies by getting training in basic first aid and in emergency response skills. 

CERT Training Programs

CERT programs educate people on disaster preparedness and train them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, disaster medical operations and organizing teams.  Using their training, CERT members can assist others in their neighborhood or workplace following an event and can take a more active role in preparing their community.

 

Neighborhood Emergency Training (NET)

NET is a two hour disaster preparedness presentation that provides essential information to community members on what to do when a disaster strikes; How to prepare and sustain before, during and after a natural disaster, terrorist attack, flu pandemic or other emergency that could impact lives and communities.

 

National Night Out – August

National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live. Millions of neighbors take part in National Night Out across thousands of communities from all fifty states, U.S. territories and military bases worldwide on the first Tuesday in August (Texas and select areas celebrate on the first Tuesday in October). Neighborhoods host block parties, festivals, parades, cookouts and various other community events with safety demonstrations, seminars, youth events, visits from emergency personnel, exhibits and much, much more.

For more information, visit: https://natw.org/

 

National Preparedness Month – September

National Preparedness Month is an observance each September to raise awareness about the importance of preparing for disasters and emergencies that could happen at any time.  In 2023, the National Preparedness Month theme focused on preparing older adults for disasters, specifically older adults from communities that are disproportionally impacted by the all-hazard events, which continue to threaten the nation.

For more information, visit: https://www.ready.gov/september

 

National Cybersecurity Awareness Month – October

Cybersecurity Awareness Month is a collaboration between government and private industry to raise awareness about digital security and empower everyone to protect their personal data from digital forms of crime.  Cybersecurity Awareness Month reminds everyone that there are all kinds of ways to keep your data protected.  It can make a huge difference even by practicing the basics of cybersecurity.

For more information, visit: https://staysafeonline.org/programs/cybersecurity-awareness-month/

 

Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drills – October

This year’s International ShakeOut Day is October 17, when millions of people worldwide will participate in earthquake drills at work, school, or home!  At 10:17 a.m. (local time) on 10/17/2024, millions of people across the world will practice earthquake safety.

For more information, visit: https://www.shakeout.org/

The Great ShakeOut web site provides statistics on how many participated in each year.  Results can be displayed by geographic region and organization category.

 

Flood Preparedness Week: October

Each year during California Flood Preparedness Week, communities and local, state, and federal agencies share information about flood risk and how to prepare. They educate Californians about the types of flooding that impact communities, engage kids with interactive demonstrations and exhibits. And they share preparedness tips and tools through social media and public outreach events.

If you are a community or organization that would like to participate in California Flood Preparedness Week, contact the planning team at CFPW@water.ca.gov.

For more information, visit: Flood Preparedness Week: Oct 19-26, 2024

 

California International Marathon – December

The Sacramento Running Association (SRA) (https://runsra.org/) is a community-based non-profit that promotes the sport of running in the greater Sacramento area. The SRA spends over $1 million annually to manage events and programs to benefit local runners of all ages and abilities. Each year, the SRA engages over 8,000 community members through local programs and events.

The SRA sponsors, organizes and conducts high quality running events that attract top athletes and the general running public.  The major international sporting event is the California International Marathon (CIM).  SRA road race events include the California International Marathon, Run the Parkway, SACTOWN Run, and other events.

SRCCC program affiliates support the CIM at aid stations positioned along the race course. CERT teams hand out refreshments to runners and SMRC provides medical aid to runners in need.  As a member of a local community group, SMRC and CERTs receive a donation in exchange for volunteering.

Role of the SRCCC:  SRCCC coordinates CERT volunteers and distributes donation funds to CERT teams.

 

Parades

SMRC and CERTs participate in parades staged for community events.  SRCCC works with SMRC and CERTs to coordinate volunteer participation.  SRCCC also prepares and distributes brochures to provide information on how community organizations and individuals can volunteer for SRCCC, SMRC, CERT and other programs.

 

Other public events

SMRC and CERTs participate in public events, such as community fairs, trade shows, and sporting events.  SRCCC helps coordinate participation by working with venue organizers to define how SRCCC programs can participate.  The role of the SRCCC at public events is to prepare and distribute brochures that provide information on how community organizations and individuals can volunteer for SRCCC, SMRC, CERT and other programs.  Community leaders can learn how to engage SRCCC, SMRC, CERT and programs for disaster response and recovery.

What kind of training should I take?

In 95 percent of all emergencies, the victim or a bystander provides the first immediate assistance on the scene. Through the Citizen Corps programs and affiliates, you can prepare for emergencies by getting training in basic first aid and in emergency response skills.