Trainings & Classes

CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) 

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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. 

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FEMA CERT curriculum

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Online study materials are available here. 

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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.

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See this link for more information and online registration for the WCCAE Basic First Aid classes. Sessions are scheduled through July 2025.

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CPR and first aid classes in Kensington

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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.

This infographic poster from the Dept. of Homeland Security shows the simple steps to safely apply a tourniquet to stop severe bleeding from an arm or leg wound. 

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A well-regarded first aid instructor highly recommended this New York Times article on Stop the Bleed.