C.E.R.T. – Community Emergency Response Team

Who We Are:

We are your family, friends, co-workers, and neighbors living in the Villages at Mt. Hood. We are passionate about helping others and feel privileged to call the foothills of the Northern Cascades our home.

What We Do:

As members of the Hoodland Fire District, we provide training and education on how to prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies. CERT members are deployed to support various events and activities, including:

• Emergency events such as wildfires, search and rescue operations, and community emergencies
• COVID-19 vaccination clinics and emergency resource centers
• Firefighter rehab support during large-scale incidents

Our goal is to help strengthen community safety and resilience through education, hands-on support, and being ready to assist when called upon.

Why You Should Join:

Hoodland Fire is one of the only first responder agencies serving the area between Warm Springs and Sandy, covering a 45-square-mile area for fire, rescue, advanced life support, and emergency medical services.

As a CERT member, you’ll be an active part of this crucial effort, helping to support our community year-round. If you are interested in learning more about personal safety, emergency preparedness, and becoming part of a first responder organization, CERT might be for you.

Training is designed to equip you to:

• Prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies
• Support your family, neighbors, and community during times of crisis

What We Need From You:

To get started, complete Interest Form below or call Hoodland Fire at 503-622-3256 to leave a message for a CERT leader. We’ll schedule an informational interview, complete a preliminary application, and conduct a background check and reference screening.

Training Includes:

• FEMA online courses
• Hands-on experience during actual events

What to Expect:

Safety is our top priority, both for ourselves and for others. We adhere to a chain of command and ensure that all members are properly protected.

Required gear:

• Long pants and long-sleeve shirts or CERT uniforms
• Closed-toe work shoes or boots

Time Commitment:

• Approximately 20 hours annually, including:
  • Quarterly team meetings
  • Participation in events like Firewise and Winterwise preparedness campaigns
  • Support during unplanned events and emergencies

As a CERT member, we encourage you to share your ideas on how we can continually improve and serve our community. Teamwork and supporting one another is at the heart of everything we do—whether it's supporting Hoodland Fire, helping during emergencies, or assisting people in need of emergency preparedness.

Hoodland C.E.R.T. Interest Form