Training Today to Help Tomorrow
La Verne’s CERT program gives volunteers the skills—and confidence—to respond to disasters.
La Verne’s Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training began as a way to prepare neighbors for the unthinkable. Now, nearly a decade later, the program has trained volunteers to help residents weather everything from wildfires to windstorms—and find confidence in the process. But in a city of about 31,000 residents, fewer than 1% have completed the training.
The La Verne Fire Department launched CERT in early 2017 with two training classes. Since then, the program has trained more than 170 residents to prepare for and respond to disasters, according to Lonnie Shipman, the department's community risk reduction specialist.
CERT programs are supported by FEMA and are used by cities nationwide to help residents prepare for disasters. The training is designed to help residents bridge the critical hours after a major disaster, when professional responders may be overwhelmed.
Today, the Fire Department funds CERT as part of its ongoing budget, committing about $5,000 a year for training, supplies, equipment, and a firefighter rehabilitation program that supports crews during long incidents. Shipman said the program relies on word of mouth to grow each year.
For veteran volunteer Steve Stepanian, the group’s ongoing commitment and camaraderie keep him involved year after year. And the sense of purpose behind the training is what truly stands out.
“The people are dedicated,” he said, reflecting on the strong team dynamic within the program. “It’s always nice to be a part of.”
As CERT manager, Shipman focuses on two key goals: first, teaching residents skills to help themselves, their families, and neighbors after disasters; second, maintaining a "Call-Out Team” of trained volunteers. These volunteers complete self-paced courses and support the city by helping with firefighter rehab, red flag patrols, outreach, and events like the Fourth of July.
The program’s participants share a common drive to strengthen their community before disaster strikes.
“We do this because of our commitment to our community,” said Bernice Crocchi, who completed CERT training in 2017 while working as a safety professional for Southern California Edison. She was drawn to the CERT program after seeing it on Facebook. Crocchi is also a part of the Retired Senior Volunteer Program with the La Verne Police Department.
“I want to be able to help my neighbors, my family, and myself,” she said.
The classes, which combine lessons with hands-on drills, enhanced Crocchi’s knowledge and filled in gaps even for someone with professional experience.
Crocchi’s most eye-opening moments came during field exercises, where volunteers practiced basic search-and-rescue and cribbing (using boards and planks to safely lift debris off trapped victims) using realistic scenarios.
“It’s easy to do in a classroom, but when people are screaming, trying to get your attention, it was a reality check,” she said.
Live fire extinguisher drills and basic medical training, she said, were a major knowledge boost. Crocchi emphasized the main takeaway from CERT: being prepared helps transform fear into productive action during emergencies.
“It’s better to know how to do something, how to prepare for it, than not knowing anything at all and being a victim,” Crocchi said.
She also emphasized that the benefits of CERT training extend beyond active participation. Graduates can still help their neighborhoods by sharing what they've learned, even if they're not part of the activation team.
“Knowledge is power,” Crocchi said. “The more knowledge you have, the more power you have over the situation.”
Learn more about La Verne's CERT program. Enroll for CERT training.
La Verne Daily News
