Free 2026 Austin CERT Training Opens Registration, Giving Central Texas Residents a Chance to Prepare for Emergencies
In a region where flash flooding, extreme heat, and severe storms are part of everyday reality, preparedness is becoming less of an option and more of a necessity for Central Texas families. Austin Emergency Management is once again offering its free Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Basic training for 2026, giving residents the opportunity to gain hands-on emergency response skills that could make a difference when it matters most.
The program is designed not just for individual readiness, but for something larger—strengthening neighborhood-level resilience across Austin and the surrounding Central Texas communities. When first responders are stretched thin during major disasters, trained residents can often become the first line of help for their own streets.
“A prepared community is a resilient community. Becoming CERT trained is one-way residents can help keep themselves and their neighborhoods safe during emergencies,” said Austin Emergency Management Director Jim Redick.
What Is CERT? A Nationwide Program Rooted in Community Resilience
The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program is part of a nationally recognized disaster preparedness initiative supported by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The program traces its origins back to the 1980s, when the Los Angeles Fire Department developed a pilot training program after recognizing that civilians were often the true “first responders” in large-scale disasters.
Following the success of that early effort—and lessons learned from events like the 1985 Mexico City earthquake—CERT expanded nationwide under FEMA to provide standardized training that empowers everyday residents to safely assist during emergencies.
Today, CERT programs like Austin CERT follow that same model: equipping volunteers with practical, life-saving skills while creating a coordinated network that can support professional responders during disasters.
What Participants Will Learn in Austin CERT Training
The 2026 Austin CERT Basic training offers 24 hours of in-person instruction and hands-on exercises, covering critical emergency response topics that directly impact everyday households and neighborhoods.
Participants will learn:
- Fire safety and hazard recognition
- Light search and rescue techniques
- Disaster medical operations
- Shelter management basics
- Team organization and communication
- Disaster preparedness for Central Texas hazards
Graduates of the program receive a CERT certificate and a disaster response kit, equipping them with both knowledge and tools to act confidently in real-world situations.
From Training to Action: How Residents Can Stay Involved
For many participants, the training doesn’t end when the class does. Those who complete the course are encouraged to join the Austin CERT Volunteer Program, where they can support the city during emergencies, assist at community events, and continue developing their skills.
Austin CERT also works in coordination with other regional CERT programs, helping ensure a unified and organized response across Central Texas when disasters occur.
This ongoing involvement allows residents to stay connected, informed, and ready—while also building stronger relationships within their own communities.
2026 Austin CERT Training Schedule and Registration Details
Austin Emergency Management will offer the CERT Basic course twice in summer 2026, making it accessible for a wide range of schedules:
June 1–4, 2026
Monday–Thursday, 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.
August 21–23, 2026
Friday, 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Saturday–Sunday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Courses are free to the public, but space is limited, and participants must commit to completing the full training.
To register, residents must first obtain a FEMA Student Identification Number (FEMA SID) through the FEMA Student Identification System. Registration is then completed through the Texas Division of Emergency Management Training Division Learning Management System, with course listings available at ReadyCentralTexas.org.
While not required, participants are encouraged to take the free online FEMA IS-317: Introduction to CERT course beforehand to better understand the program.
A Practical Step for Families, Neighbors, and Communities
For many Central Texas residents, the idea of responding to an emergency can feel overwhelming. Programs like CERT aim to change that by replacing uncertainty with preparation.
Whether it’s helping a neighbor after a storm, safely responding to a small fire, or providing basic medical support until professionals arrive, these are the kinds of moments where training can make a meaningful difference.
As Austin continues to grow—and as weather patterns become more unpredictable—the value of a prepared, connected community becomes even clearer.
Residents interested in learning more or needing assistance with registration can contact Austin CERT at HSEMmass.care@austintexas.gov.
For more local updates on community programs, public safety initiatives, and opportunities that impact your neighborhood, stay connected with My Neighborhood News.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.