Chicago CERT 2026 Fall Basic Training Class
The Chicago Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC) is hosting its Fall 2026 Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Basic Training Class, a free 30-hour course that prepares Chicago residents to protect themselves, their families, and their neighbors when disaster strikes.
CERT trains volunteers in disaster preparedness and basic emergency response skills, including fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations. CERT volunteers support first responders when professional services are overwhelmed.
Training Details
Dates: September 15 to October 15, 2026 (Tuesdays and Thursdays)
Time: 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Location: OEMC Auditorium, Room 154, 1411 W Madison St, Chicago, IL 60607
Cost: FREE
Sponsored by: Chicago Office of Emergency Management and Communications
Registration: tinyurl.com/ChicagoCERT
Late Registration Is Still Open
Late registration is being accepted for this session. Email your full name, telephone number, and email address to Dr. Veronica Martinez at Veronica.martinez@cityofchicago.org.
Class Schedule
All sessions run 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM at OEMC, 1411 W Madison St. Instructors and subject matter experts co-teach each unit. Schedule is subject to change.
| Date | Topic |
|---|---|
| Tuesday, September 15 | Introduction and Orientation; Unit 1: Disaster Preparedness; Unit 2: CERT Organization |
| Thursday, September 17 | Units 1 and 2 continued |
| Tuesday, September 22 | Unit 3: Medical Operations |
| Thursday, September 24 | Unit 4: Medical Operations |
| Tuesday, September 29 | Unit 5: Disaster Psychology |
| Thursday, October 1 | Unit 6: Fire Safety, Hazmat, and Utility Controls |
| Tuesday, October 6 | Unit 7: Light Search and Rescue Operations |
| Thursday, October 8 | Unit 8: CERT and Terrorism |
| Tuesday, October 13 | Unit 9: Final Exam and Exercise |
| Thursday, October 15 | Graduation and Orientation |
Certification Requirements
To receive certification, participants must satisfactorily complete all 30 hours of instruction, the final exam, and the simulated exercise. Participants receive a course manual and are advised to review the relevant sections before each class.
If a scheduling conflict prevents you from completing any part of the course, contact Chicago CERT at CitizenCorps@cityofchicago.org or Rich Frizelis at richf.chicagocert@gmail.com.
A PACCGC Connection
PACCGC Board Member Josephine Mascarenas Diaz, IPEM, is serving as one of the instructors for this session. An Accredited Illinois Professional Emergency Manager through the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and an Illinois State Instructor, she describes the program as volunteerism at its best: giving back to the City of Chicago and to our communities by building awareness and preparedness for natural and man-made hazards, including active shooter and CBRNE incidents.
Registration is handled directly by the Chicago Office of Emergency Management and Communications. If the short link does not open, use the direct registration form.
Please note: at this time, this class will be held in English only.
For more information about the Chicago CERT program, visit Chicago.gov/OEMC.
