CERT Program

The City of Ontario CERT training is FREE and open to anyone interested in learning about how they can be an effective responder in their family and their community. This training is provided by the Ontario Fire Department using the nationally recognized 20-hour curriculum approved by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Participants will learn to:

  • Identify and anticipate hazards in the community
  • Reduce fire hazards in the home and workplace
  • Extinguish small fires
  • Conduct light search and rescue
  • Setup medical treatment areas
  • Provide disaster first aid
  • Assist emergency responders

Those who complete the 20-hour Basic Academy are recognized as program graduates and receive a Certificate of Completion. Upon completion, you are also eligible to become an active Ontario CERT Volunteer whereby you will receive a FREE CERT emergency starter kit and additional training and exercises during our regularly scheduled monthly meetings. 

Disasters can happen at any time in Ontario. We experience earthquakes, fires and flooding. Are you and your family prepared?

Registration for our Fall 2024 CERT Academy has closed. Please join our Interest List to be notified when we release the dates for our Spring 2025 CERT Academy.

Join the interest list here.

ACCORDION
Ontario Emergency Communications Service (ECS)

Mission

Ontario Emergency Communications Service (ECS) is a specialized detail within CERT tasked with providing auxiliary communications during special events and disasters. The primary mission and purpose of the Ontario ECS is to support emergency communications during periods of local, regional, or national emergencies. By providing the Ontario Fire Department and Police Department communication back-up with an amateur radio system, the integrity of public safety services can be ensured. To fulfill this mission, Emergency Communications Service members must be flexible. They must be able to adapt to a wide range of potential situations, which ECS may be called upon, for support.

Qualifications

Members of Ontario ECS must be...

  • Licensed HAM radio operators: technician class or above 
  • Able to pass a background investigation
  • Willing to work within a structured organization to support objectives consistent with the mission of Ontario ECS
  • Able to maintain minimum standards of training and participation

Visit us on the Ontario ECS Net

Thursday Evenings at 6:30 PM
147.480 - Simplex
447.200 - Duplex 114.8

If you are interested in joining Ontario ECS, please email K6ONT@ontarioca.gov.e

Become an Ontario CERT Volunteer

Below are the requirements to become an official CERT Volunteer with the City of Ontario. 

Basic Volunteer Requirements

  • Volunteer Application Form
  • Disaster Service Worker Volunteer Form
  • Live scan with Ontario PD

CERT Type 3 (Basic)

  • Completion of Basic Volunteer Requirements
  • Completion of CERT Basic Academy

CERT Type 2 (Deployable)

  • All Type 3 Requirements
  • Completion of IS-100
  • Completion of IS-700
  • Completion of American Red Cross Shelter Fundamentals Training

CERT Type 1 (Responder)

  • All Type 2 Requirements
  • Completion of IS-200
  • Completion of IS-800
  • Completion of Basic First Aid, CPR, AED Training
  • Completion of Stop the Bleed Training

Email us at OntarioCERT@ontarioca.gov for an application or more information.

Current active volunteers can access their Better Impact Volunteer Portal here. 

Request an Emergency Preparedness Presentation

Click here to request a Preparedness Presentation

Downloadable Files