First set of Sonoma Valley community members complete Community Emergency Response Team training

The first Spanish-speaking group of Sonoma Valley community members completed  Community Emergency Response Team training on March 29. This training, taught entirely in Spanish, represents the Sonoma County Department of Emergency Management’s commitment to disaster preparedness. It is the second of three Spanish CERT classes offered by the department, the first being completed by community members from Santa Rosa. 

Held in the new multi-purpose building at El Verano Elementary School, participants spent the last of their three-day training learning to provide basic first aid and conduct light search and rescue. Sonoma Valley Fire District offered fire extinguisher training on-site. The highlight of the students’ day was participating in a simulated disaster that allowed them to utilize all the skills they’d learned during their training.

Community member Maricarmen Reyes, a graduate of the first Spanish CERT training and currently a DEM intern, was on hand to support the training and graduation of the second class. 

“We are grateful,” she said, “to DEM, for this opportunity; for offering CERT trainings in Sonoma Valley.” Having lived through both the Tubbs Fire and Kincade Fire, Reyes said he learned firsthand how critically important community preparedness is.

CERT, a nationally respected training program, is a focus of the Department of Emergency Management's attempt at engaging Sonoma County residents in disaster preparedness. Spear-headed by the County’s Community Preparedness Program Manager, Nancy Brown, her goal for CERT is “to build a truly resilient community.” Staying on target with that goal, Brown and Program Coordinator Deisy Vargas, have three upcoming English trainings and one additional Spanish training on the calendar through November. Registration for the training is now open for all four sessions. 

To register for upcoming CERT trainings, go to: https://bit.ly/SoCoCERT2025

For general questions about CERT, contact Program Coordinator Deisy Vargas: deisy.vargas@sonoma-county.org 

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Media Contact:
Gilbert Martinez, Communications Specialist
publicaffairs@sonoma-county.org
(707) 565-3040
575 Administration Drive, Suite 104A
Santa Rosa, CA 95403