Hermosa Beach Residents Prepare for Emergencies Through CERT Training

Community Emergency Response Team volunteers learn disaster response skills to assist when professional responders are overwhelmed.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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About a dozen Hermosa Beach residents recently participated in a refresher training for the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), learning skills like fire safety, light search and rescue, and disaster medical operations. The CERT program trains local volunteers to respond effectively in the event of a major disaster when professional firefighters and paramedics may be tied up with numerous simultaneous calls across the region. The training aims to channel the natural instinct of neighbors to help each other during crises into a more organized and effective response.

Why it matters

Hermosa Beach launched its CERT program in 2025 to better prepare the community for emergencies, drawing on lessons learned from past disasters like the 1985 Mexico City earthquake where untrained volunteers rushed to help but many died in the effort. The CERT program equips local residents with the skills and knowledge to assist their neighbors and support professional responders when disaster strikes.

The details

The CERT refresher training on February 9th involved practicing response scenarios like glass cuts from shattered windows, neighbors trapped under debris, and gas leaks. The free two-day CERT course or hybrid online module trains locals as disaster service worker volunteers in key areas like fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations. Volunteers have the capacity to assist neighboring cities as well, as some did during the 2025 Palisades fire.

  • Hermosa Beach launched its first officially credentialed CERT class in 2025.
  • The CERT refresher training took place on February 9, 2026.
  • The next CERT hybrid certification course is scheduled for June 27, 2026 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The players

Christopher Freeman

A firefighter specialist and one of two Los Angeles County Fire Department educators leading the CERT training session.

Brian Kight

A captain and one of two Los Angeles County Fire Department educators leading the CERT training session.

Rick Koenig

A contractor who completed the CERT certification, seeing it as a way to help in major disasters beyond just basic preparedness.

Tommy Gault

A Hermosa Beach resident who got CERT certified last year, motivated by the Palisades fire to be able to help her community if something else happened.

Janice Brittain

Tommy Gault's aunt, a public works commissioner who has been involved in emergency preparedness since joining the city's emergency preparedness commission in 2011.

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What they’re saying

“The communities that have a good tight community, when disaster strikes, respond differently.”

— Christopher Freeman, Firefighter Specialist

“It was a large number of people who were just trying to help, they were neighbors.”

— Brian Kight, Captain

“Instead of handling a toaster fire, I wanted to help at major disasters like the fires at Chevron in El Segundo.”

— Rick Koenig, Contractor

“I really wanted to be able to help my community if something else happened and to prepare my family. We're due for a giant earthquake soon.”

— Tommy Gault

“That's why I get along with every council member and everybody in the community. I might need you and you might need me.”

— Maurice Wright, Emergency Management Coordinator

What’s next

The next CERT hybrid certification course with LA County Fire and Hermosa Beach is scheduled for June 27, 2026 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. The training is free, and those interested can email oem@hermosabeach.gov for more information.

The takeaway

Hermosa Beach's CERT program demonstrates the importance of building community resilience and preparedness at the local level, equipping residents with the skills and organization to effectively assist each other and professional responders when disaster strikes, rather than adding to the chaos.