Trainings & Classes
CERT (Community Emergency Response Team)
CERT is a FEMA training program for emergency preparedness run by cities and local organizations. The courses train volunteers in basic disaster response skills such as light search and rescue, team organization, and medical assistance.
All courses are offered in-person at the Berkeley Fire Department's Division of Training, 997 Cedar St, Berkeley, CA 94710. Find the full list and other program updates here.
First Aid and Stop the Bleed
No matter how rapid the arrival of professional emergency responders, bystanders will always be first on the scene. A person who is bleeding can die from blood loss within five minutes, so it is important to stop the blood loss quickly. Those nearest to someone with life-threatening injuries are best positioned to provide first care.
WCCAE (West Contra Costa Adult Education) Basic First Aid classes are offered monthly on a Saturday afternoon. This 3 hour class has gotten rave reviews from several BFN past attendees. The instructor is very knowledgeable and is open to questions and interests. Classes are held at the pleasant Richmond Annex campus just off Carlson, a 12 minute car ride away.
See this link for more information and online registration for the WCCAE Basic First Aid classes. Sessions are scheduled through July 2026.
CPR and first aid classes in Kensington
See this link for a 2-hour video presentation on Disaster First Aid from the Berkeley Disaster Preparedness Network. The presenter discusses decisions that are required to be made while under pressure during a disaster and how to handle them efficiently with limited resources.
A well-regarded first aid instructor highly recommended this New York Times article on Stop the Bleed.
2026 BFN Disaster Drill: What to do after the shaking stops
This drill simulates actions ensuring life safety to be undertaken soon after a disaster event. Activities and documentation are based on CERT Incident Command System practices.
The drill is scheduled for Sunday, May 3rd, 1:30 - 3:30 PM
There will be a post-drill social at 465 Boynton Avenue at 3:30. All are welcome at the social, regardless of whether you have participated in the drill.
A neighborhood-central Incident Command team will be responsible for coordinating logistics and resources for the drill. In a real emergency, Incident Command also provides a central point for communications and coordination with resources both within and outside of the neighborhood.
Central to the drill is the Safety Assessment activity which involves teams of neighbors contacting neighbors. In a real emergency, this contact would be a life safety check, assessing the well-being of each household. Section Coordinators will train the Assessment participants on how to conduct the assessment contacts, and dispatch the teams as directed by Incident Command.
All neighbors are welcome to participate in this exercise.
Links to preparatory documents used for the drill are below:
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CERT Organization presentation (updated 4/14/2026)
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Maps