In a disaster, you may be on your own for several days without the assistance of emergency personnel. Your neighbors are learning what to do - are you? 

The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) teaches neighbors to help themselves and help each other. Through CERT, you will receive hands-on training in Disaster First Aid, Disaster Preparedness, Basic Firefighting, Light Search and Rescue, Damage Assessment, and How to Turn Off Utilities. Those interested in learning more about CERT can do so by taking an online distant learning course through Citizen Corps. For more information on CERT or the online course, please go to "Learn more about CERT".

What you can do

• Learn more about CERT
• Register for classes through Lamorinda CERT

The City of El Cerrito Fire Department and the Kensington Fire Protection District have been strongly committed since 1992 to provide its citizens with the ability to be self-sufficient for up to 72 hours and beyond in the event of a major disaster. It is our profound belief that our post-disaster response with be significantly more effective and efficient based on how we prepare pre-disaster through this program. In addition, our CERT Program is a founding member of the Contra Costa County CERT Committee. Please join your neighbors in an effort to make our communities a safer place to live.

Water Storage Container Information

A reliable water supply is an important part of any preparedness program. Following a major earthquake, EBMUD says that they will get most residential customers back online within 30 days. You need to be ready to have drinking, cooking and sanitation water in the meantime. Municipal  governments  will  distribute  potable  water  supplies  within  several  days  but  that means standing in line with containers to get your rationed water. The most reliable way to assure adequate water is to store water at your home and office. Lamorinda CERT Foundation periodically purchases large quantities of FDA approved blue water  drums  and  associated  supplies  like  wrenches,  pumps,  spigots,  dust  covers,  etc.  By purchasing in bulk, the freight charges are reduced substantially.  What do you need? It is recommended that each person have one gallon for drinking and food preparation plus one gallon for sanitation (tooth brushing, hand washing, etc.) each day. That is  14  gallons  per  person  per  week.  If  you  have  a  swimming  pool,  that  can  serve  for  most sanitation needs. Once you figure out how many gallons you want, determine which drum size is best for you. The 5 gallon Samson Stackers are convenient and only weigh 42 pounds when full. The 15 gallon drums are more expensive per gallon than the 55s but can be moved (about 127 pounds). The 55 gallon drums are stationary once filled (about 485 pounds) but are the most economical for large volumes. 

Lamorinda CERT periodically sells these water storage containers multiple times a year. 

More information on current Water Storage Container sales can be found HERE