The Dorchester County Department of Emergency Management announced on Mar. 23 that it will offer Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training classes for spring 2026. The program is designed to prepare residents to assist themselves, their families, and neighbors during emergencies and disasters.
CERT is a nationally recognized course that provides hands-on instruction in disaster preparedness, fire safety, light search and rescue, disaster medical operations, and team organization. According to the department, the training helps participants safely take action when professional responders are delayed and strengthens community resilience by developing informed volunteers who can help their communities recover more quickly after an incident.
The Spring 2026 CERT class schedule includes sessions on disaster preparedness, CERT organization, medical response in disasters (split into two parts), fire safety, disaster psychology and terrorism awareness, light search and rescue techniques, as well as a final exercise day. All classes will be held at the Dorchester County Emergency Operations Center located at 212 Deming Way, Building 1 in Summerville.
Attendance at all classes—including the final exercise day—is required for completion of the program. Exceptions may be granted by Emergency Management. While participants must generally be at least 18 years old to enroll, those aged 14 to 17 may participate if accompanied by a parent or guardian; additional registration documentation will be completed on the first night of class.
Registration information is available through an online form on the Dorchester County Emergency Management website.
