Empowering Our Community Through Training
Mahaska County Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) offers vital training programs designed to empower everyday citizens with essential emergency skills. Learn how you can make a difference before professional responders arrive.
Who Is CERT Training For?
Our training programs are for regular people who want to be useful in emergencies. This includes any community member who wishes to learn basic emergency skills and help their neighbors, especially when roads are blocked, responders are overwhelmed, or immediate help is needed before official crews arrive. Supported nationally through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), CERT training prepares citizens to handle the critical time before professionals can fully respond.
Everyday Citizens
Learn to protect yourself, your family, and your community in the face of disaster.
Future Volunteers
Gain the skills to support emergency responders and assist those in need.
Community Leaders
Strengthen Oskaloosa and Mahaska County's resilience and preparedness from within.
What You Will Learn
Our training covers essential skills that help make you a valuable asset during emergencies. Graduates gain the knowledge and confidence to take care of themselves, assist their household, and safely help neighbors and emergency responders during the early stages of a disaster.
Training is provided after applicants have been approved to join the team and is designed to prepare volunteers for real-world emergency situations and community support activities.
Essential Emergency Skills
You will learn basic disaster safety and preparedness, fire safety and light suppression, basic medical and first aid response, light search and rescue, communication and coordination, disaster psychology, and stress response. These skills allow you to support emergency responders effectively and safely.
Community CPR classes are offered each quarter to anyone interested in learning this important life-saving skill. These classes are open to the public and provide essential training for emergency situations.
If you are interested in attending, please email jwalker@mahaskacountyia.gov to register or request more information.
Upcoming class dates:
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November 14th (final class of the year)
There is no cost for the class. A fee is charged only if you would like to receive an official American Heart Association certification card as proof of completion.
Training materials are provided through the American Heart Association. Please note that the student book is not included with the class.
We encourage anyone interested in being better prepared for emergencies to take advantage of this valuable training opportunity.
Why Train With Mahaska CERT?
Mahaska CERT training is designed specifically for our community, providing practical, hands-on skills relevant to local risks like severe weather and rural emergencies. You'll be trained by local emergency professionals and volunteers, ensuring you're ready to help when your community needs it most. Don’t just be informed—be prepared.