CHATHAM COUNTY, NC – Chatham County Emergency Management will host a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Basic Training Academy to prepare community members to assist in disaster response and strengthen local emergency readiness.

The CERT program educates volunteers about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their community and trains them in basic disaster response skills such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations. CERT provides a consistent, nationwide training model that professional responders can rely on during emergency situations, allowing them to focus on higher-level response needs. Through CERT, participants help strengthen the community’s ability to prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters. Individuals of all abilities are welcome.

WHAT: Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Basic Training Academy

WHEN:
Friday, May 15, 2026 | 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Saturday, May 16, 2026 | 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, May 17, 2026 | 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

WHERE:
Chatham County Emergency Operations Center (EOC)
112 Innovation Way
Pittsboro, NC 27312

Chatham County Emergency Management encourages residents to participate and become active members of the county’s CERT program, helping build a more resilient community.
“The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Basic Academy provides residents of Chatham County with the knowledge not only to be active CERT members, but also to help make their own households more resilient in the event of a disaster.”— John Royal, Director, Chatham County Emergency Management Division

Participants must register through the North Carolina Training Exercise Response Management System (NCTERMS). New users will need to create an account at: https://terms.ncem.gov/TRS/logon.do

Course information and registration are available at:
https://terms.ncem.gov/TRS/courseDesc.do?sourcePage=courseSearch&cofId=181240

For questions, contact Chatham County Emergency Management at 919-545-8181.