Coastside CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) is an emergency preparedness volunteer organization focused on creating a ready and resilient community along the San Francisco Bay Area coast from the southern side of the Tom Lantos Tunnel (Devil’s Slide) to Tunitas Creek Road.

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If you’d like to join Coastside CERT, please fill out form.

Contact Coastside CERT: coastsidecert@gmail.com

"There is likely no better local example of how a little public investment coupled with a spirit of community service can make an incalculable difference in the lives of real people."
Clay Lambert, Editor, Half Moon Bay Review

Op-Ed article on Coastside CERT, 11/11/2020

CERT Basic Training is offered both In-Person and Online.

Register now for upcoming classes in Fall 2022 and Spring & Fall 2023.


Coastside CERT Calendar


Stay tuned - we are pleased to present a whole year of CERT training opportunities & events. This is the current plan but life happens and everything is subject to change. We'll keep you updated right here. All classes are offered free of charge.

What's new?

Have it your way! CERT Basic Training is offered twice this year, Spring and Fall. For both sessions, you may choose online coursework leading to an in-person Training Day & Graduation or in-person training that dovetails into the same Training Day & Graduation. Online Training is now closed for Fall CERT. Currently registered students must complete all 10 modules and submit the completion certificate to coastsidecert@gmail.com by 5:00 PM, Sunday October 16.

Advanced CERT Training (ACT) classes (5) will be offered for all of you awesome certificated CERTs (currently, there are 334 Coastside CERTs ). It's an a la carte menu of topical classes to be held on five weekend mornings at Coastside Fire Station 40, 1191 Main St, Half Moon Bay. Some advanced training topics: First Aid, Stop the Bleed, CPR, Psychological First Aid, Traffic Management, Neighborhood Command Post Radio Communications.

LISTOS Classes are taught in person in Spanish or English. This 2-hour class focuses on how to how to protect your family in a disaster or emergency. Topics include Identifying Risks & Dangers, Communication Plans, Evacuation Plans, Utility Interruptions, Fire Extinguisher Use, Disaster Kit, Victim Treatment, Home Organization & Emotional Support. Graduate from this 2-hour class and receive a backpack filled with emergency supplies from Coastside CERT. From July 1, 2021-July 31, 2022, LISTOS classes were sponsored by a CSFA grant from the City of Half Moon Bay with class registration and administration provided by ALAS (Ayudando Latinos A Soñar). Congrats to our 101 local LISTOS graduates! Going forward, Coastside CERT LISTOS classes may be scheduled if 10 or more people self-organize and request a class. Instructor: Coastside Fire Captain Joe Santos (trilingual English, Spanish, Portuguese).

Coastside CERT Neighborhood Action - Please scroll down to see what's happening where you live. Neighborhood Leads, want your neighborhood events, radio practices, and drills listed on this calendar? Happy to post them! Please send a brief description to coastsidecert@gmail.com

2022

  • October 1 Saturday, October 1, Pillar Point Harbor, Mavericks Festival 10:00 AM-7:00 PM. Festival Organizer is requesting 14 CERT-trained volunteers in two shifts to serve in Traffic Management, First Aid Tent, and Public Education roles. Interested? Please contact coastsidecert@gmail.com.

  • October 8 Saturday 10:00 am Great Coastside ShakeOut. Register in advance: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_nK0tvxrPT0qbHitUWiCfLA Everyone participates!

  • October 15 & 16 Saturday & Sunday, Half Moon Bay Pumpkin Festival.

  • October 26 Wednesday 6:30-7:30 CERT Volunteer Prep for Nov 13 Training Day. Zoom link will be sent to CERT volunteers.

  • November 3 Thursday 6:30-8:00 Online Fall CERT Students Q&A Zoom with Chief Cosgrave. Registered online students will be sent the meeting link.

  • November Fall CERT In-Person Basic Training Schedule - 3 sessions + Training Day & Graduation. Attendance at all 4 sessions is required to graduate. Location: Coastside Fire Station 40, 1191 Main St. HMB. Open to everyone 18+; 16-17 yrs. by special arrangement. Questions? Please email coastsidecert@gmail.com

    1. November 2 Wednesday 6:30-9:00 PM In-Person Fall CERT class #1

Disaster Preparedness, local Annexes, CERT Organization (ICS), Intro to Triage

    1. November 6 Sunday 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM In-Person Fall CERT class #2

Disaster Medical Operations I + Triage, Disaster Medical Ops II, Fire Safety & Utility Controls

    1. November 9 Wednesday 6:30-9:00 PM In-Person Fall CERT class #3

Disaster Psychology, Terrorism & CERT, Light Search & Rescue

4. November 13 Sunday 9:00-4:00 Fall CERT Training Day & Graduation. Parallel In-Person and Online training culminates in a single Training Day & Graduation.

Orientation, Hands-On Skills Training, Disaster Simulation

  • December - Holiday pause - no training or meetings except events organized by neighborhoods.

Previously held events:

  • September 17 Saturday 8:30 - noon Coastside CERT Advanced Training Class #5 Topic: ICS Model Neighborhood Command Post including staffing, effective communications, and essential documentation. Class includes practicing hands-on radio skills. This class is good practice for the Great Coastside ShakeOut earthquake and radio communications drill on October 8! All CERTs invited. Invitations will be emailed around Labor Day. RSVPs required. Questions?: fcprepared@gmail.com CLASS IS FULL. There is a waitlist.

  • September 11 Saturday 10:00-1:00 Hybrid CERT Ham training specifically to prepare for the role of Ham operator in a CERT Neighborhood Command Post. RSVPs required. Questions? Contact Jeffrey Goshorn aj6vf@goshorn.org

  • August - Take the month off! No training or meetings except events organized by neighborhoods.

  • July 30 Saturday Time TBD (10:00 AM-2:00 PM) San Mateo County Disaster Preparedness Day. Location: San Mateo Events Center. Everyone is invited. Coastside CERT will have a presence and participate in activities with other SMC CERT programs.

  • July 24 Sunday noon-3:00 Chief David Cosgrave Appreciation Event, all Coastside + Branch 3 & 4 CERTs and their families are invited. Evites have been sent. RSVPs required. There is a suggested contribution to cover food and entertainment. This is not a fundraiser.

  • July 9 Saturday 9:00 AM Coastside CERT Advanced Training Class #4, Topic: Field Emergency First Aid Skills, Location: Coastside Fire Station 40, 1191 Main St. HMB. All CERTs are invited. RSVPs required. CLASS IS FULL. There is a waitlist.

  • May 21 Saturday 9:00 AM Coastside CERT Advanced Training Class #3, Topic: Stop the Bleed, Location: Coastside Fire Station 40, 1191 Main St. HMB. CERTS only, please. RSVPs required.

  • May 21 Saturday 10:00-noon LISTOS Class in Spanish. Free of charge. Family preparation for disasters/emergencies. Contact ALAS at nancy@alasdreams.com to register. Register and complete this 2-hour class and you will receive refreshments, raffle tickets, and a backpack filled with emergency supplies. All Spanish speakers are welcome. Location: Ted Adcock Center 535 Kelly Ave, Half Moon Bay.

  • May 15 Sunday. The Inaugural Half Moon Bay Wine & Jazz Festival organizers are looking for 6-8 CERT volunteers to work at the event, likely just walking around in pairs, and ready to support in an emergency. Although being trained as a CERT qualifies them, this would not be a CERT activation. Interested? Please register at https://hmbwineandjazzfest.com/volunteer. CERT volunteers will receive lunch, and enjoy a beautiful event with great music and (fingers crossed) great weather.

  • May 5 Thursday Coastside Gives Coastside CERT is 100% community funded. This is the one time a year we ask for contributions from the community we serve. Donations through Coastside Gives fund our operations, allow us to continue offering free emergency preparedness & response training to the public, and support grassroots neighborhood safety networks

  • June 19 Saturday (Father's Day). Time: TBD. Coastside Fire Station 41 Opening & Volunteer Fire Dept Pancake Fundraiser. Location: Coastside Fire Station 41, 555 Obispo Road, El Granada. Everyone invited.

  • April 23 Saturday 9:00 AM Coastside CERT Advanced Training Class #2, Topic: Psychological First Aid. Instructor Nick Arnett. Location: Coastside Fire Station 40, 1191 Main St. HMB. All CERTs are invited. Class is full! Email fcprepared@gmail.com to be added to the waitlist should anyone give up their space.

  • March 14 Monday 6:30-7:30 Online Spring CERT Students Q&A Zoom with Chief Cosgrave. Registered online students will be sent the meeting link.

  • March 7 Monday 6:30-7:30 CERT Volunteer Prep for March 19 Training Day and Graduation. A Zoom link will be sent to CERT volunteers who would like to refresh their skills by supporting our Spring CERT candidates through their Training Day exercises.

  • March Spring CERT In-Person Basic Training Schedule Spring CERT Class is full - 3 sessions + Training Day & Graduation. Attendance at all 4 sessions is required to graduate. Location: Coastside Fire Station 40, 1191 Main St. HMB. Open to everyone 18+; 16-17 yrs. by special arrangement. Questions? Please email coastsidecert@gmail.com

1. March 9 Wednesday 6:30-9:00 PM In-Person Spring CERT session #1

Disaster Preparedness, local Annexes, CERT Organization (ICS), Intro to Triage

2. March 12 Saturday 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM In-Person Spring session #2

Disaster Medical Operations I + Triage, Disaster Medical Ops II, Fire Safety & Utility Controls

3. March 16 Wednesday 6:30-9:00 PM In-Person Spring CERT session #3

Disaster Psychology, Terrorism & CERT, Light Search & Rescue

4. March 19 Saturday 9:00-4:00 Spring CERT Training Day & Graduation. Parallel In-Person and Online training culminates in a single Training Day & Graduation.

Orientation, Hands-On Skills Training, Disaster Simulation

  • March 26 Saturday, Time 10:00 AM-3:00 PM. LISTOS Class taught in-person in Spanish free of charge. Family preparation for disasters/emergencies. Contact Nancy at ALAS nancy@alasdreams.com to register. Register and complete this 4-hour class and you will receive refreshments, raffle tickets, and a backpack filled with emergency supplies. All Spanish speakers are welcome. Location: Sueño Center (La Piazza), 604 Main St., Suite C, Half Moon Bay


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2023

  • March Spring CERT In-Person Basic Training Schedule - 3 sessions + Training Day & Graduation. Attendance at all 4 sessions is required to graduate. Location: Coastside Fire Station 40, 1191 Main St. HMB. Open to everyone 18+; 16-17 yrs. by special arrangement. Questions? Please email coastsidecert@gmail.com

    1. March 1 Wednesday 6:30-9:00 PM In-Person Fall CERT class #1

Disaster Preparedness, local Annexes, CERT Organization (ICS), Intro to Triage

    1. March 5 Sunday 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM In-Person Fall CERT class #2

Disaster Medical Operations I + Triage, Disaster Medical Ops II, Fire Safety & Utility Controls

    1. March 8 Wednesday 6:30-9:00 PM In-Person Fall CERT class #3

Disaster Psychology, Terrorism & CERT, Light Search & Rescue

4. March 12 Sunday 9:00-4:00 Fall CERT Training Day & Graduation. Parallel In-Person and Online training culminates in a single Training Day & Graduation.

Orientation, Hands-On Skills Training, Disaster Simulation

  • August - Take the month off! No training or meetings except events organized by neighborhoods.

  • Tentative November Fall CERT 2023 In-Person Basic Training Schedule - 3 sessions + Training Day & Graduation. Attendance at all 4 sessions is required to graduate. Location: Coastside Fire Station 40, 1191 Main St. HMB. Open to everyone 18+; 16-17 yrs. by special arrangement. Questions? Please email coastsidecert@gmail.com

    1. November 1 Wednesday 6:30-9:00 PM In-Person Fall CERT class #1

Disaster Preparedness, local Annexes, CERT Organization (ICS), Intro to Triage

    1. November 4 Saturday 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM In-Person Fall CERT class #2

Disaster Medical Operations I + Triage, Disaster Medical Ops II, Fire Safety & Utility Controls

    1. November 8: Wednesday 6:30-9:00 PM In-Person Fall CERT class #3

Disaster Psychology, Terrorism & CERT, Light Search & Rescue

4. November 11 Saturday 9:00-4:00 Fall CERT Training Day & Graduation. Parallel In-Person and Online training culminates in a single Training Day & Graduation.

Orientation, Hands-On Skills Training, Disaster Simulation

  • December - Holiday pause - no training or meetings except events organized by neighborhoods.


Coastside CERTs organize in their local neighborhoods. Upcoming events!


  • East Miramar

  • September 5 Labor Day Monday. Location and Time TBD. East Miramar CERT is standing up in support of a larger neighborhood event. All East Miramar residents invited!

  • West Miramar

  • September 5 Labor Day Monday. 2:00-4:00 PM, 200 Medio Ave. West Miramar CERT Emergency Preparedness Event. All West Miramar residents invited!

  • Cañada Cove

  • September 10 Saturday 10-2 Cañada Cove Clubhouse. Hands on Stop the Bleed Class with instructor Jayme Ng. Cañada Cove residents only, please.

  • Frenchman's Creek

  • September 10 Saturday 10:00 - noon Frenchman's Creek Park 3 Basics: Water/Shelter/Food Do you know where you will be after the “Big One”? Will you have water? If not, can you find and purify water? What about shelter? Is your house intact? Can you cover holes, stop leaks? Can you find or create a safe environment for you and your family? What about food? Is your pantry always stocked? Do you know about MREs? Can you cook food if there is no electricity or gas? Please bring a chair and be prepared to do some hands-on practice creating a shelter. Please carpool as parking is limited. No restrooms. Everyone is invited!

  • Montara

  • September 18 Postponed due to rain to Sunday October 2 11:00 AM-4:00 PM 5th Street Montara Art & Music Festival. Montara CERT will be hosting a table. Everyone is invited!

  • Highland Park

  • October 2 Sunday 2-5 PM Neighborhood Social gathering at Terrace & Golden Gate. For Highland Park residents only, please.

  • August 2 Tuesday PM Time TBD National Night Out celebration to be held in the Highland Park-Pacific Ridge neighborhood. Everyone is invited!

  • April 24 Sunday 2:30-3:30 PM First Aid Training to be held in the Highland Park-Pacific Ridge neighborhood. Everyone is invited!

  • Pilarcitos Park

  • Postponed until January. October 9 Sunday 1:00-3:00 PM CUSD District Office site. All Pilarcitos Park residents are invited!

  • Kehoe/Casa del Mar

  • October 20 Thursday 5:30-7 PM Neighborhood social event with emergency preparedness theme for Kehoe/Casa del Mar residents. For more info please contact Chris Villanis via kehoe.casa.neighbors@gmail.com

  • Sea Haven

  • August 2 Tuesday, 5:30-8:30 PM National Night Out celebration to be held in the Sea Haven neighborhood. 132 Jib Court. Everyone is invited!

  • July 4 Monday 3-5:30 Neighborhood Organizing Event, Mizzen Lane. Everyone is invited


  • El Granada

  • August 14 Sunday 2:00 PM El Granada CERT is conducting our second Emergency Preparedness Live Practice Drill We’ll be setting up our tent and getting together on the meridian at Isabella and The Alameda to practice how we'll gather and respond in the event of an emergency. We invite all interested El Granada neighbors to join us!

  • Senior Campus

  • August 17 Wednesday 4:00-5:30 PM Opening of the Senior Coastsiders Resiliency Hub. Everyone is invited!



Coastside CERT thanks Coastside Gives and our generous donors for their support.

We are 100% volunteer and 100% community funded.

How will your donations be used?

Your donations are vital to our mission as we amplify our outreach
to serve more residents of the larger Coastside community

  • Free disaster preparedness & response training - basic training, ongoing refresher opportunities, and advanced CERT training classes in English & Spanish.

  • Communications infrastructure to send timely local safety messages, webinars, videos, tutorials, and Chief David Cosgrave's Newsletters.

  • Critical practice drills & mutual aid activations with other emergency response agencies, as during the CZU fires & burn scar debris flow evacuations, and CERT volunteers who have continuously staffed HMB COVID testing sites since June 2020.

  • Preparedness & response equipment.

  • Growth of neighbor helping neighbor networks in every local neighborhood as they work together to strengthen communication and resilience.

VIDEOS
To check out our CERT videos on our VIMEO channel, click here.