Community Emergency Response Team

What is CERT?

If a major disaster affects Hurst, our citizens may be forced to rely on each other for help to meet their immediate lifesaving and life-sustaining needs. The Hurst Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) is a training program that prepares citizen volunteers to respond to emergency situations that may affect our community. This program teaches emergency preparedness and basic disaster response techniques that will prepare citizen volunteers to take an active role in providing critical support to professional first response members during emergencies. The Hurst CERT program is sponsored by the Hurst Fire Department.

We are looking for you if:

• You are 18 or older
• Live or work in Hurst
• You can perform some physical activities
• Want to give back to your community
• You can pass a background investigation
• Willing to invest your time to take the G-317 CERT Basic Training Course

Fall 2025 HEB CERT Basic Training Class Announcement

The Hurst CERT team will be hosting a CERT Basic Training Class. This class will meet on Friday, Saturday, & Sunday November 7–9, 2025. 

The CERT program helps train people to be better prepared to respond to emergency situations in their communities.  When emergencies happen, CERT members can give critical support to first responders, provide immediate assistance to victims, and organize spontaneous volunteers at a disaster site.  CERT members can also help with non-emergency projects that help improve the safety of the community.

The CERT course will be held at Hurst Fire Station #1, 2100 Precinct Line Road, Hurst, Texas, 76054.

It is taught by a trained team of first responders and experienced volunteers who have completed a CERT Train-the-Trainer course conducted by their state training office for emergency management, or FEMA's Emergency Management Institute (EMI).  CERT training includes disaster preparedness, small fire suppression, basic medical procedures and light search and rescue operations.

This training is sponsored by FEMA and managed by the Texas Division of Emergency Management.

Seating is limited to 20 participants with 12 participant minimum.

Full participation is required to complete the course.

HEB CERT Basic Training Course:

Date and Time:
Friday, November 7, 2025, 6–10 p.m. 
Saturday, November 8, 2025, 8 a.m.—6 p.m.
Sunday, November 9, 2025, 8 a.m.—6 p.m.

Location:
Hurst Fire Station #1, Training Room
2100 Precinct Line Rd.
Hurst, TX 76054

Cost: $25.00 (Optional for lunch. You may bring your own if desired). Snacks and beverages to be provided.

If interested in signing up for the next training class, you can download the application here, fill out and drop it off or mail it to the following address:

Hurst Fire Administration
attn: CERT
2100 Precinct Line Rd.
Hurst, TX 76054

For more information, you can email us at cert@hursttx.gov or call the Hurst Fire Department at 817-788-7238.

What can you do to be prepared in the event of an emergency?

A personal 72 hour Emergency Kit

Part of our program is to teach our community to be prepared to help themselves in an emergency. A 72-hour emergency kit is one way we can help ourselves.

View a copy of the FEMA suggested list for personal 72-hour emergency kit.

Maintaining your Personal Kit

Just as important as putting your supplies together is maintaining them so they are safe to use when needed? Here are some tips to keep your supplies ready and in good condition:

• Keep canned food in a cool, dry place.
• Store boxed food in tightly closed plastic or metal containers to protect from pests and to extend its shelf life.
• Throw out any canned good that becomes swollen, dented or corroded.
• Create a rotation plan. Place new items at the back of the storage area and older ones in the front.
• Change stored food and water supplies every six months. Be sure to write the date you store it on all containers.
• Re-think your needs every year and update your kit, as your family’s needs change.
• Keep items in airtight plastic bags and put your entire disaster supplies kit in one or two easy-to-carry containers, such as an unused trashcan, camping backpack or duffel bag.

HAVE A PLAN AND PRACTICE IT!

• Remember during an emergency, cell phone circuits are overloaded, and power is usually the first to go down, don’t rely on them.
• Know where to meet family or contact them after an emergency.
• Have a designated spot everyone will try to get to after an emergency.
• If you are out of town, have a designated out of town relative be the contact for everyone to call when they are able to.

Download full flyer with complete program details.