About Us & What We Do

Thank you to the Disaster Service Workers who re-upped on Nov.6, 2024 at the Martinez City Council Meeting.

Our Mission

We supply free disaster preparedness information, classes, and training to residents of Martinez and Pacheco. We provide trained CERT volunteers to respond to emergency and disaster events when summoned by The City of Martinez. We maintain a state of personal and team readiness.

Our Basic Training Program educates people about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their area, and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations. Our continuing education classes invite members to add to their skill set and keep those learned skills sharp. Our mini classes are offered to the entire community, with the goal providing useful information and guidance.

CERT Membership

To become a CERT member, you complete the free CERT Basic Training course and participate in at least one exercise per year. After Basic Training, you are invited to become a registered Disaster Service Worker (DSW) and become involved in community response efforts and provide valuable services during emergencies. All CERT members abide by our Code of Conduct. Our more active members are encouraged to join us in our Leadership Areas. Continuing Education opportunities are available for free to all CERT members. Our membership plays an important role in our active community!Monthly meetings with speakers/training, support at local events, picnics, and parades! [more]. CERT members are encouraged to be active in their community. We assist with crowd and traffic control, staff cooling rooms, and occasionally get called out to help locate a missing person. We also enjoy fun events while offering preparedness and class information! There are many ways for you to get involved – join us at a special event, help us organize our events and activities, share our information with your social media network.

Monthly Meetings

Martinez Area CERT holds Monthly Meetings on the 2nd Thursday of each month. These meetings start at 6:30 pm and run until about 8 pm. Each month we review CERT business and have a presentation. Presentations alternate between reviewing the perishable skills that are needed in times of emergency and preparedness topics from our community, government, and businesses. Meetings are normally held in the library Room at the Martinez Senior Center 818 Green St., Martinez. The community is most welcome to attend.
Use this link for the Monthly Meetings on zoom. Join a few minutes before the 6:30 pm meeting by clicking here.

CERT Training

Our free 24 hour full preparedness training is offered in the spring and fall each year. The course offers a consistent, nationwide approach to volunteer training and organization that professional responders can rely on during disaster situations, allowing them to focus on more complex tasks.[Sign up here]

  • Continued Training
    Communications, disaster exercises, traffic control, Stop the Bleed, and many more classes. [Read more here]
  • Mini Classes
    We also offer mini sessions with terrific overviews on Personal Emergency Preparedness (PEP), Earthquake Hazard Mitigation and Wildfire Preparedness. Bring your neighbors![Sign up here]
  • Podcasts and Videos
    We encourage you to take any of our free trainings and classes – being prepared will help you and your loved ones stay safe! Curious? Watch this quick video from the Los Angeles Fire Dept. to learn more about the CERT program. You may read this PDF to learn more about The Martinez Area CERT structure.The CERT team is active in education and outreach. Take a look.

The Martinez Area CERT Foundation

The Martinez Area CERT Foundation was formed in 2021 and serves to provide equipment and supplies, promote awareness and raise funds for Martinez Area CERT. The Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity recognized by the IRS and California Franchise Tax Board to accept tax deductible gifts. The Foundation is comprised of a volunteer Board of Directors and at-large community members from the Martinez Area CERT organization sponsored by the Martinez Police Department. You can see the board listing here. All donations are tax deductible! We will send you a confirmation letter for your tax records. Thank you for considering a donation to CERT. Visit The Foundation website here: martinezcertfndn.org

Visit us at any of these 2024 community events – we look forward to seeing you!

  • Farmer’s Market April thru October on the second Sunday, 9AM-noon, at the plaza
  • Healthy Heart Resource Fair February 23
  • John Muir Birthday Earth Day Celebration April 20
  • Fourth of July Parade in Downtown Martinez July 4
  • National Night Out at the Marina Aug 6
  • Bocce Fundraiser for Loaves and Fishes. TDB
  • MRC/MRC run Martinez Education Foundation Sept 28
  • Home Depot Safety Fair TBD
  • Bike the Bridges Oct 5
  • Spooktacular October Downtown Martinez Oct 26
  • We finish the year at the Downtown Martinez Light Parade in December! Dec 1

The Future: It’s Up To Us.

If we want to survive the next fire, earthquake, or flood, we’ll need to take steps to minimize the harm that these natural disasters will cause. Training will help. View here

Visit the Collaboration page for photos.