Program Overview

The Community Engagement and Resiliency (CER) Program aims to enhance community preparedness for both small- and large-scale emergencies and disasters through education, training, and resource provision. This is achieved by offering training classes and by partnering with community groups. Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) focuses on educating the public in essential disaster response skills, including fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations. Additionally, the District’s community preparedness efforts support various emergency readiness courses, including Red Cross Ready, CPR/First Aid, Stop the Bleed, and Wilderness First Aid Preparedness, to ensure a well-rounded approach to community safety. CER also collaborates with local schools to provide fire and life safety education. School and community programs are developed based on data collected on the jurisdiction.

Management Oversight

The CER Program is managed by the Division Chief/Fire Marshal of the Fire Prevention and Life Safety Division. The program is staffed by four full-time equivalent personnel. It includes payroll expenditures for administrative support staff responsible for implementing the program's goals and objectives. Additionally, the program covers expenses for general equipment purchases, subscription-based services, contract services, and miscellaneous supplies required to support the District and community's mission of preparedness in the event of an emergency or disaster within the District’s jurisdiction.

Goals and Objectives

• Conduct research to identify community safety risks and develop targeted awareness campaigns through various communication channels, such as social media and local outreach, to educate the public on hazards and emergency preparedness.

• Provide specialized safety training for high-risk populations (e.g., seniors, individuals with disabilities) and general safety programs for the broader community, covering topics like fire safety, disaster preparedness, and basic first aid.

• Collaborate with local schools to provide firefighter-led safety education, teaching students fire prevention, emergency response, and safety awareness through interactive lessons.

FY 2023-24 Accomplishments

• Completed the legal review and swearing-in process for new CERT members.
• Provided training and operational support for the Firefighter Rehab Program to ensure effective emergency response and critical incident support for firefighters.
• Deployed CERT members during storms in Menlo Park, providing essential support to the community during adverse weather conditions.
• Expanded outreach through our Red Cross Ready class, bringing it to senior centers and Spanish-speaking members of our community. In addition, LISTOS classes have been held in the community, offering a full-day of disaster preparedness training to the Spanish-speaking community. 
• Provided firefighter community risk reduction and led safety education classes in schools throughout the District.
• Conducted station tours and presentations to over 243 students.

FY 2024-25 Program Initiatives

• Improve HAM radio systems and communication protocols to ensure reliable, effective communication during emergencies and disasters.
• Continue to grow CERT membership and encourage active participation, while fostering partnerships with local cities and towns for broader community engagement.
• Enhance support for community groups, bolster preparedness resources (e.g., emergency caches), and expand educational outreach to increase disaster resilience.
• Improve the resilience of Fire District stations by ensuring adequate supplies of water, food, and power to support sustained operations during emergencies.
• Provide VEOCI (Virtual Emergency Operations Center Interface) training for command staff, and adopt a Board-approved Community Risk Reduction Goal Policy to guide long-term community safety initiatives.