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In the face of disaster, Americans come together with courage, compassion and unity and ask, “How can I help?” There are many ways to get involved especially before a disaster occurs. The whole community can participate in programs and activities to make their families, homes and communities safer from risks and threats. Please visit the links below for more information on these exciting opportunities!

Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)

Hillsboro’s Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program educates people about disaster preparedness for hazards and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations. Using the training learned in the classroom and during exercises, CERT members can assist others in their neighborhood or workplace following an event when professional responders are not immediately available to help. CERT members also assist with city events such as the Fourth of July Parade and Oregon International Airshow.

Who Can Join CERT?

Why join Hillsboro CERT?

The City of Hillsboro realizes the need for its citizens to have the ability to care for themselves and neighbors during and after a disaster. CERT training is one way to ensure this valuable ability. By becoming a CERT member, you will be taught how to prepare your homes and families for an emergency. Safety at home will allow the CERT team members the added ability to help their neighbors. Once neighborhoods are safe, CERT team members may be called on by City emergency workers to aid in disaster recovery elsewhere in the City.

How Do I Receive Training?

CERT training in the City of Hillsboro follows the FEMA model and materials but is presented on a modified schedule to ensure retention of materials, to allow members to become familiar with each other, and to be more accessible to those who would like to attend.

CERT Basic Training is offered in April and October of each year. This 8-hour introductory course is offered in two, four-hour classes and is mostly in a classroom setting. This introductory course is open to anyone interested in learning how they can prepare for an emergency as well as those interested in becoming part of the Community Emergency Response Team.

Once you have completed CERT Basic Training and have chosen to become a member of the CERT team, you will begin to take continuing education courses (18 hours total). These are intensive, hands-on courses that ensure members understand and have practiced the skills needed to assist themselves and other after an incident. They are offered annually on the following schedule and are attended by new and veteran CERT members.

Course Schedule:

January

CPR/AED
3 Hours

March

Basic First Aid
3 Hours

May

Advanced Search and Rescue (SAR); Damage Assessment
3 Hours

July

Advanced Triage
3 Hours

September

Skill Enhancement
3 Hours

November

Emergency Communications: Spanish; Knot Tying
3 Hours

If you are interested in attending CERT training, please email CERT@hillsboro-oregon.gov.

Amateur Radio

The City of Hillsboro depends upon FCC-licensed amateur radio operators to provide backup emergency communications capability during exercises, disasters, and special events. We have a dedicated group of volunteers that regularly meet, plan, train and exercise their skills and equipment in order to be prepared to respond during disasters.

The City of Hillsboro's amateur radio volunteers operate the radio equipment at our Emergency Management office under the station call sign K7HIO. Our volunteers provide a wealth of skills, knowledge and talents.

K7HIO's volunteers are dual-affiliated with both Washington County Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) and Washington County Radio Amateur Civic Emergency Service (RACES). These organizational affiliations provide the flexibility to operate under many different circumstances and in support of many jurisdictions and agencies throughout Washington County.

If you are interested in becoming an amateur radio operator, please visit the FCC’s website to learn more.

If you already hold an amateur radio license and would like to learn more about joining Washington County ARES/RACES, please visit http://washcoares.org/.

Online Training

Are you interested in furthering your understanding and knowledge of emergency management and its related components? If so, there are many opportunities to do so online!

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has an enormous repository of Independent Study courses on a variety of topics that you can complete for free! These can be found at https://training.fema.gov/is/crslist.aspx.

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