The Washoe County Sheriff’s Office is opening its Citizen Corps CERT Academy to any resident who wants to learn how to respond before and during an emergency. The program, which begins on October 15, provides six free training sessions over two consecutive weekends and requires participants to attend all sessions to graduate.
What the CERT Academy Covers
Students will study a range of practical skills, including disaster preparedness, basic emergency medical techniques, fire safety, light search and rescue, and disaster psychology. No prior experience or special qualifications are needed, and teens ages 16 and 17 may join with parental permission.
Schedule and Location
The academy will be held at the Regional Public Safety Training Center, 5190 Spectrum Boulevard, during the following dates:
- Thursday, October 15 – Saturday, October 17
- Thursday, October 22 – Saturday, October 24
Each weekend includes three sessions, allowing participants to fit the training into their busy lives while still completing the full curriculum.
How to Sign Up
Residents interested in joining can learn more about the program and submit an application at WashoeSheriff.com/CERT. The Sheriff’s Office encourages families, seniors, and community volunteers to take part, emphasizing that a prepared neighborhood is a safer one.
Why This Matters
By equipping citizens with lifesaving skills, the CERT Academy strengthens the county’s overall resilience. When neighbors are trained to act quickly, they can help protect each other and reduce the burden on first‑responders during disasters. The program reflects the Sheriff’s Office commitment to community service and aligns with traditional family values of self‑reliance and stewardship.
The initiative is part of a broader effort by local law‑enforcement agencies across the nation to foster volunteer emergency responders. As more households become prepared, Washoe County can expect a more coordinated and effective response to natural hazards, fires, or other crises.
Original reporting: 2news.com — read the source article.
