Robotic touch sensors are not just skin deep
May 2, 2025
EVANSTON, Ill. --- Northwestern University will enhance its commitment to the safety and security of its students, faculty, staff and visitors by launching a new training session of its Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program for volunteers this April.
For the second year in a row, volunteers are being invited to train in the program, which was started at Northwestern in 2014 as a partnership between the Emergency Services Division of University Police and the Evanston Fire Department.
CERT is a national community preparedness program operated under the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Citizen Corps Council.
The CERT program is a way to involve students and staff in serving the community and increasing the preparedness of individuals at Northwestern. CERT is designed to improve readiness, help people and serve the community through education, training and volunteer service.
The CERT program is a volunteer opportunity and training program for community members to help support preparedness activities, community welfare during major special events and organized community recovery efforts following a crisis.
“Throughout the country, states, counties and local jurisdictions, including Evanston, have developed and implemented CERT programs to enhance emergency preparedness and increase community education, awareness and outreach,” said Joseph Frascati, emergency preparedness manager for Northwestern’s University Police.
“CERT programs operate within the community like good Samaritans to provide support to first responders,” Frascati said. “A CERT program is not intended to replace Northwestern University’s response capabilities, but rather to serve as an important supplement to them.”
CERT program members receive an initial 16 hours of training in basic disaster and emergency response skills from experienced and skilled instructors in the first responder and emergency management professions. Members of a CERT program are initially trained in:
- Disaster preparedness
- Disaster fire suppression
- Disaster medical operations
- Light search and rescue operations
- Disaster psychology and team organization
- Terrorism and the CERT program
- Disaster exercises, drills and simulations
- Principles of the Incident Command System and National Incident Management System
- CPR and AED lifesaving skills
- Extreme violence and active shooter awareness
The new class is offered to any faculty, staff or student with the University and will be limited to 20 participants. Registration will close no later than March 15. Classes are scheduled for the following dates and times on the Evanston campus:
- April 2, 5 to 9 p.m.
- April 9, 5 to 9 p.m.
- April 16, 5 to 9 p.m.
- April 23, 5 to 9 p.m.
- April 30, 5 to 9 p.m.
CERT was originally developed and implemented by the Los Angeles City Fire Department in 1985. FEMA recognized the importance of the program and adopted and expanded the CERT program and materials to cover all hazards, from natural disasters to terrorist attacks.
For more information on upcoming CERT training dates or registering for upcoming classes, contact Joseph Frascati, emergency preparedness manager with the Northwestern University Police Department, at 847-491-3065 or joe@northwestern.edu.
More information on CERT is available from Northwestern University Police.
You can register for the April CERT training course by completing and submitting the CERT course registration form and the CERT Hold Harmless Waiver and Permission Form.
Visit the Federal Emergency Management Agency for additional information on CERT.
