Disaster Service Worker Policy

People take CERT classes for different reasons. Learning how to be prepared for a disaster or emergency is the most common. People may want to learn how to take care of themselves, their families, and maybe their neighbors. Many of us take CERT training so that, once our own house and family are safe and secure, we might be able to help in our neighborhoods.

Martinez area residents are offered the option to be sworn in as a “Disaster Service Worker” (DSW) with the City of Martinez. Being a DSW means that the City’s insurance covers volunteers who may be injured during an official recovery effort or during official training.

After CERT DSWs were deployed for post fire recovery work to the Paradise Fire in 2018-2019, State OES realized they were an untapped resource to assist with disaster recovery. As a result, they are asking for all DSW CERT members who wish to be deployed in the future for post disaster assignments to be vetted via a Live Scan background check.If you’d like to consider being deployed to assist in other areas, outside of Contra Costa County, you’ll need to talk with us about getting a Live Scan and deeper background check.

Your DSW status is good for three years, and can be renewed as described in our policy below.

DSW Renewal Requirement

Members of Martinez CERT who have become Disaster Service Workers are required to renew their DSW status every three years. This policy is to keep our DSW members current on their training and response skills. There are three training options to renew your status:

  1. Repeat the CERT Basic Training class sessions,
  2. Take a review-recertification course (DSW Refresh), or
  3. Participate as a team member in one of the two annual CERT disaster exercises to maintain your knowledge and skills.

By participating in one of these three activities DSW member can renew their active status for participation in an actual disaster event. Failure to complete one of the three activities will result in the member losing their DSW status. Instructors and active CERT Administrative members are exempt from this requirement. This policy will re-occur each year in January of the new year for DSW members who have taken their training over three years ago from that year.

Classes begin in the spring and fall, usually on Wednesday evenings. The review-recertification class follows, and the CERT Final Disaster Exercise will be held at the end. Those are all opportunities for existing CERT DSW Members to renew their DSW status.