By Brett Hilton –
I’ve always known the importance of being prepared. I’ve had a go-bag since the Ridgecrest earthquakes in 2019, and like many Ventura County residents, the Thomas Fire left an imprint that never fades. When I saw the opportunity to enroll in CERT, the Community Emergency Response Team training, I didn’t hesitate. I had been interested before and had attended the Ventura Community Police Academy in the past. After recent fires in Altadena and the Palisades, it felt urgent.
I wasn’t skeptical. I was excited. As someone who considers himself an intermediate-level prepper, I looked forward to learning what I didn’t already know. I also thought there might come a time when I could share that knowledge with others. The only thing that made me nervous was the medical component. I’ve never done well with blood or open wounds, whether on myself or anyone else. I had even earned my BLS certification in 2024, but only because I was considering clerical work in a medical setting. I knew I could never handle emergency wounds professionally, and I was not seeking that path.
What we learned from the instructors changed something in me. Their calm, expert instruction made me feel more capable of handling those situations if I needed to. I still wouldn’t choose that kind of work, but I am no longer afraid to step in if it counts.
The class met Wednesday nights for six weeks, starting on May 21. It moved fast. Some of the information was a review for me, but it still had impact. I realized during that first week that my stored food and water had expired, and my fire extinguishers were no longer reliable. I replaced everything right away.
One of the biggest takeaways came from the other participants. Most had directly experienced disaster. They were not preparing for “what if” scenarios, they were preparing for “when again.” That made a strong impression.
The instructors were outstanding. Mack Douglass, Ventura’s Emergency Services Manager, and Kate Watkins, Emergency Services Coordinator from Santa Paula Police Department, co-led the course. Fire Inspector Danielle Motherspaw served as the main firefighter and paramedic trainer. She brought incredible clarity and professionalism to each session. She was joined by Melanie Dennon, who shared her own powerful story about saving her husband’s life with CPR. They were assisted by Adam Aguilera and Ventura Police Cadet Emily Wright, who were both present and supportive throughout the program. The collective expertise of the team was impressive. They had so much knowledge, it could have filled 18 weeks instead of just 18 hours.
We trained in search and rescue, fire suppression, team operations, medical triage, and cribbing. Triage was the most challenging for me. Communication, leadership, and logistics came more naturally. I was chosen as team captain during the cribbing portion of the final drill and was praised for clear communication. Mack also pointed out my attention to detail, since I had added my name to both sides of my helmet and made a waterproof CERT name badge. I had read that it was important to be easily identifiable in the event of confusion or an actual emergency.
The final drill was held in partnership with Camarillo CERT members, so we were working with both familiar and new teammates. Everyone came together quickly. People showed up ready to help and gave their best. It was refreshing and affirming to see so many different people pulling in the same direction.
One of the most inspiring moments for me was seeing Ventura City Council Member Liz Campos, who uses a wheelchair, participate in every part of the training. She approached the entire program with grace and energy. She reminded all of us that anyone can help if they truly want to.
By the time it ended, I was proud of what we had done. I felt more capable and more confident. I have always been the type to step up in a crisis, but now I am better prepared and more composed. I do not look at my neighborhood much differently than I did before, because I was already someone who watches for hazards and takes action when needed. But I now know that in a disaster, I can contribute even more.
CERT is one of the most meaningful programs I have ever completed. When a crisis comes, the people who have prepared ahead of time can make all the difference. They stay calmer, act more responsibly, and may even save lives.
If you are thinking about signing up, do it. Even if you are never called to respond, you will gain skills that help you and your loved ones. In the world we live in now, you can never be too prepared. And when you learn with a team like this, you walk away with something more than readiness. You walk away with community. https://fire.venturacounty.gov/cert/
Emergency Readiness for All: Ventura Offers CERT Program in Spanish
To expand accessibility and ensure all residents have the opportunity to be prepared for emergencies, the City of Ventura, in collaboration with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the City of Santa Paula, is offering a full Spanish-language Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training beginning this October.
The free, hands-on program is open to 40 participants from Ventura and Santa Paula and will run from October 9 through November 15, 2025. Applicants will be accepted on a rolling basis with the application open through Wednesday, October 8, 2025.
“In recent years, we’ve heard from our Spanish-speaking community about the need for this training, and we are excited to finally make it a reality,” said Mack Douglass, Ventura’s Emergency Services Manager. “Preparedness should never depend on language. By offering this training in Spanish, we’re ensuring that more of our residents feel included, supported, and ready to step up when their families and neighborhoods need them most.”
Participants will complete 24 hours of training covering critical skills such as fire safety, medical triage, disaster psychology, team organization, and light search and rescue. Upon graduation, each participant will receive a certificate of completion and a disaster start-up kit, including a helmet, gloves, vest, and safety goggles.
Classes begin October 9 and will be hosted on six consecutive Thursday nights from 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., with a final skills showcase on Saturday, November 15, from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Classroom training will take place at the Ventura Police Department Headquarters, with the final drill hosted at the Ventura County Fire Drill Grounds in Camarillo.
Classes will be taught entirely in Spanish and will combine classroom instruction with hands-on learning. For more information or to apply, visit www.cityofventura.ca.gov/CERT.
