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2025 Coastside CERT Calendar
Stay tuned! We are pleased to present a whole year of CERT training opportunities & events. This is the current plan but life happens and everything is subject to change. We endeavor to let everyone know program dates as early as possible but sometimes that results in having to change dates, times, or locations as we get closer to the actual event. We'll keep you updated right here. All classes are offered free of charge.
Have it your way! CERT Basic Training is offered twice a year, Spring and Fall. Please sign up now for Fall CERT Basic Training in November 2025. You may choose in-person training coursework (preferred option) leading to Training Day & Graduation or online coursework that dovetails into the same in-person Training Day & Graduation.
Advanced CERT Training (ACT) classes are offered for all of you awesome certificated CERTs (currently, there are 463 Coastside CERTs). It's an a la carte menu of topical classes usually held at Coastside Fire Station 40, 1191 Main St, Half Moon Bay. These classes provide an opportunity to focus on a specific CERT skill or topic and to get hands-on practice as appropriate.
Educate the Coastside (ETC)! These classes are open to all Coastsiders. Previous topics included "Shake & Bake"- Earthquake & Wildfire + Disaster Food & Water Preparation, Stop the Bleed, Disaster First Aid, and Storm Safety.
2025 ACT & ETC training topics:
Neighborhood Leadership Forum
Radiopalooza - Radio Training: Walkie-Talkie Basics and Beyond
Neighborhood Command Post ("NCP") + Great Coastside ShakeOut Prep.
Single Skill: Fire Extinguisher Training
CERT Skills Refresher
Coastside CERT Neighborhood Action - Please scroll down to see what's happening where you live.
Neighborhood Leads, want your neighborhood events, radio practices, and drills listed on this calendar? Happy to post them! Please send a brief description to coastsidecert@gmail.com
2025
April
Coastside Gives Early Giving Begins - Let's Get Started! We Need Your Donation to keep everything we do free of charge for our whole community.
Date: All of April -> May 1
Time: All day
Location: Online
Nonprofit Day on the Coast
Date: Saturday, April 5
Time: 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Location: Ted Adcock Community Center, 535 Kelly Ave., Half Moon Bay
This inaugural event, organized by the City of Half Moon Bay, is where local nonprofits come together to showcase their impactful work in the community. This year's theme, We All Belong, highlights the vital importance of inclusion, connection, and creating a safe space for all.
Everyone is invited to visit tables hosted by Coastside nonprofits. Learn more about each organization and their work to support youth, seniors, arts and the creative community, individuals with disabilities, the LGBTQ+ community, and emergency preparedness & response. We look forward to having you join us to create a stronger, more connected community.
Radiopalooza: Walkie-Talkie Basics and Beyond
Date: Saturday, April 26th
Location: Coastside Fire Station 40, 1191 Main St., Half Moon Bay
📻 Join Us for a Day of Hands-On Radio Training!
CERT Radio Officer Scott Pyne will be leading these sessions, helping us strengthen our emergency communication skills. Whether you’re a beginner or experienced with radios, there’s a class for you!
🔹 Two Separate Classes – Choose One or Both!
Each session requires a separate registration.
Class specifics, including class size and link to register coming soon.
Morning Session: Walkie Talkie Basics & Practice
Time: 8:00–11:30 AM
Sign-in & Set-up: 8:00–8:30 AM
Class: 8:30–11:00 AM (includes outdoor practice exercise)
Q&A & Recap: 11:00–11:30 AM
Who Should Attend?
If you're new to walkie-talkies and want to learn:
“How do I program the channel?”
“How do I actually talk on the radio?”
“How can I improve my radio manner/skills?”
If you routinely participate in a neighborhood net or are already a ham licensee, this class will likely be too basic for you.
LUNCH BREAK (11:30–12:15 PM)
For instructors, training team, and continuing students.
Bring your own lunch.
Afternoon Session: Advanced Walkie-Talkie Topics & Practice
Time: 1:00–4:00 PM
Sign-in: 12:45–1:00 PM
Class: 1:00–3:30 PM
Q&A & Recap: 3:30–4:00 PM
Re-set of FS40: 4:00–4:30 pm (all students to assist)
Who Should Attend?
If you meet any of the following:
You attended the morning session (or took last year’s basics class).
You are a ham licensee.
You routinely use a walkie-talkie for neighborhood nets, drills and exercises.
You've participated in the Great Shakeout in a radio role.
Topics Covered:
Directed network operations
Procedural words
The phonetic alphabet
Message passing protocols
Limited to 30 CERTs per session – Register today!
Radio communication is a vital skill in emergencies. Don’t miss this opportunity to sharpen yours!
San Mateo County Emergency Preparedness: Be Wildfire Safe & Ready
Date: Saturday, April 26, 2025
Time: 10:00–1:00 PM
Location: San Mateo County Events Center, Fiesta Hall
Safety Element and Emergency Prep Coastside Community Meeting
Date: Monday, April 28
Time: 6:00-8:30 p.m.
Location: Half Moon Bay Library
This upcoming community meeting(jointly held by City and County), will focus on the City's Draft Safety Elements. The workshop participants will also want to talk about emergency preparedness and safety. All participating agencies will have teams present at tables with materials to discuss important safety topics, and share information about their services and other resources. This will be an excellent opportunity to engage with residents.
May
Coastside Gives Day - Please do!
Date: All of April -> May 1 "Coastside Gives Day"
Time: Until 12 Midnight
Location: Online
Ham Radio Technician Exam Prep Course - 2 days
Date: Saturdays, May 3rd and 10th
Time: TBD
Location: Coastside Fire Station 40, 1191 Main Street, Half Moon Bay
This 2-day course is offered by the Half Moon Bay Amateur Radio Club (HMBARC) and SC4ARC. It will teach you how to use a ham radio and what you need to know to pass Technician-level ham radio FCC licensing exam. The exam will take place two weeks later.
Ham Radio Technician Licensing Exam
Date: Saturday, May 24th
Time: TBD
Location: TBD
Advanced CERT Training (ACT): Neighborhood Command Post ("NCP") - Setup and Practice
Date: Saturday, May 31st
Time: 8:00–12:00 PM
Location: Coastside Fire Station 40, 1191 Main St., HMB & Reservation Link (coming soon)
This ACT will focus on the set-up and function of a Neighborhood Command Post which will be used in active CERT neighborhoods after a major disaster. We will also use this refresher class to help you prepare yourself and your neighborhood for active participation in the 6th Annual Coastside Great ShakeOut on September 27.
Our instructors will outline the processes for setting up, staffing, and operating an NCP. You will also get lots of practice actually setting up an NCP, including getting your neighborhood FRS network and your Ham station up and running, and practicing the roles of scribes, runners, and the Neighborhood Incident Commander (“NIC”). Then there will be plenty of hands-on practice with instructors and mentors available to help you one-on-one. Remember, you may be the first CERT at your rally point and will need to know how to get things going, even if someone more qualified ultimately takes over as your NIC. This class will help further build the muscle memory necessary to respond to an earthquake or other disaster in your neighborhood.
June
Advanced CERT Training (ACT) - Field Team Operations
Date: Saturday, June 21st
Time: 8:00–12:00 PM
Location: Coastside Fire Station 40, 1191 Main St., HMB
This ACT will build on concepts from the May NCP class. Here we will focus on the “field team” component of the ICS structure. The class will use activities such as Damage Assessments and/or Search and Rescue activities to emphasize how field teams are built, the duties of the field team leader, communications, documentation and operations. It will further explore what a field team can and should handle, and what it should not.
This class will be a great refresher and will also cover one of the key components you and your neighborhood may use in your participation in the 6th Annual Coastside Great ShakeOut on September 27.
July
CERT Refresher - Advanced CERT Training
Date: Saturday, July 26th
Time: 8:00–1:00 PM
Location: Coastside Fire Station 40, 1191 Main St., HMB
August
San Mateo County Emergency Preparedness Fair
Date: Saturday, August 2nd
Time: 10:00–2:00 PM
Location: San Mateo County Events Center
Spanish CERT Basic Training Academy Schedule
Dates: Wednesday, August 13; Saturday, August 16; Wednesday, August 27; Saturday, August 30.
Time: Two Wednesday evenings 6:30–9:00 PM + Two Saturdays 9:00–4:00 PM
Location: Coastside Fire Station 40, 1191 Main St., HMB
Format: 3 classes + Training Day & Graduation.
Attendance: Required at all 4 sessions to graduate.
Eligibility: Open to everyone 18+; 14-17 yrs. with parent/guardian written permission. All classes will be taught in Spanish by native Spanish speakers.
Questions? Please email coastsidecert@gmail.com
Spanish CERT Class #1
Date: Wednesday, August 13th
Time: 6:30–9:00 PM
Location: Coastside Fire Station 40, 1191 Main St., HMB
Disaster Preparedness
Surviving Local Hazards
CERT Organization (ICS)
Intro to Radio Comms
Spanish CERT Class #2
Date: Saturday, August 16th
Time: 9:00–4:00 PM
Location: Coastside Fire Station 40, 1191 Main St., HMB
Disaster Medical Operations I
Triage
Disaster Medical Ops II
Fire Safety & Utility Controls
Spanish CERT Class #3
Date: Wednesday, August 27th
Time: 6:30–9:00 PM
Location: Coastside Fire Station 40, 1191 Main St., HMB
Disaster Psychology & Mental Health
Terrorism & CERT
Light Search & Rescue
Fall CERT Training Day & Graduation
Date: Saturday, August 30th
Time: 9:00–4:00 PM
Location: Coastside Fire Station 40, 1191 Main St., HMB
Orientation
Hands-On Skills Training
Disaster Simulation
Graduation
September
6th Annual Coastside Great ShakeOut
Date: Saturday, September 27th
Time: 8:00–12:00 PM
Location: Coastside Fire Station 40 / Coastside Neighborhoods and other agency’s venues
Coastside CERT would be honored to have all residents of our CERT Neighborhoods participate in the 6th Annual Coastside Great ShakeOut Earthquake Education and Communications Exercise. This is the only Coastside-wide earthquake drill and radio exercise. Allied agencies welcome!
The Coastside Great ShakeOut Communications Exercise will be on Saturday, September 27th starting at 8:00 am and ending around 11:30 or Noon. Each active CERT neighborhood will have an opportunity to practice vital skills that will be needed in the event of a major earthquake or other disaster. Look forward to great ways to connect and learn as a community. Many neighborhoods will have family-friendly aspects to their exercise activities. Look for more information in early September directly from your Neighborhood Leads.
For questions or to express interest in participating please contact your own Neighborhood Leads (see contact info under the “Neighborhoods - Get Involved” tab above), Coastside CERT at coastsidecert@gmail.com, or Jenny at fcprepared@gmail.com.
October
Pumpkin Festival
Date: Saturday, October 18th - Sunday, October 19th
Time: All-Day
Location: Downtown HMB
This is not CERT's party, of course, but we do encourage our membership to volunteer to support their favorite local nonprofits.
November
Fall CERT In-Person Basic Training Academy Schedule
Dates: Wednesday, November 5; Saturday, November 8; Wednesday, November 12; Saturday, November 15.
Time: Two Wednesday evenings 6:30–9:00 PM + Two Saturdays 9:00–4:00 PM
Location: Coastside Fire Station 40, 1191 Main St., HMB
Format: 3 classes + Training Day & Graduation.
Attendance: Required at all 4 sessions to graduate.
Eligibility: Open to everyone 18+; 14-17 yrs. with parent/guardian written permission
Questions? Please email coastsidecert@gmail.com
Fall CERT In-Person Class #1
Date: Wednesday, November 5th
Time: 6:30–9:00 PM
Location: Coastside Fire Station 40, 1191 Main St., HMB
Disaster Preparedness
Surviving Local Hazards
CERT Organization (ICS)
Intro to Radio Comms
Fall CERT In-Person Class #2
Date: Saturday, November 8th
Time: 9:00–4:00 PM
Location: Coastside Fire Station 40, 1191 Main St., HMB
Disaster Medical Operations I
Triage
Disaster Medical Ops II
Fire Safety & Utility Controls
Fall CERT In-person Class #3
Date: Wednesday, November 12th
Time: 6:30–9:00 PM
Location: Coastside Fire Station 40, 1191 Main St., HMB
Disaster Psychology
Terrorism & CERT
Light Search & Rescue
Fall CERT Training Day & Graduation
Date: Saturday, November 15th
Time: 9:00–4:00 PM
Location: Coastside Fire Station 40, 1191 Main St., HMB
Orientation
Hands-On Skills Training
Disaster Simulation
Graduation
November 27th - Happy Thanksgiving 🦃
December
Holiday break! 🎁 - no training or meetings except events organized by neighborhoods.
Coastside CERTs organize in their local neighborhoods. Upcoming events!
Events in black type are upcoming or recurring activities. Previous events are noted in grey typeface.
Montara
Walkie Talkie Radio Communications Network practice. First Tuesday of Every Month, 7:00 p.m. Channel 22.
Scheduling Evacuation Drill
Moss Beach
Walkie Talkie Radio Communications Network practice. Fourth Tuesday of Every Month, 7:00 p.m. Channel 10.
El Granada
EG Prepared: Walkie Talkie Radio Communications Net Practice. Weekly on Tuesdays. 6:30 p.m. on Channel 21.
El Granada Community Preparedness Meeting, 1st Wednesday of each Month, 6:30 p.m. at EG Fire Station 41
Mar 5: Tsunami Briefing from David Cosgrave, DEM
Feb 5: Master Gardeners Presentation - Defensible Space
East Miramar
Walkie Talkie Radio Communications Net Practice. First and Third Monday of every Month. 7:00 p.m. (1900) on Channel 6.
Frenchman’s Creek
FCPrepared: Walkie Talkie Radio Communications Net Practice. Third Monday of each Month. 7:00 p.m. (1900 local) on Channel 8.
Kehoe/Casa del Mar
Highland Park
Alsace Lorraine
Walkie Talkie Radio Communications Network practice. Second and Fourth Monday of Every Month, 7:00 p.m. Channel 22.
Ocean Colony
February 2 Neighborhood Meeting with Chief Cosgrave and Battalion Chief Anderson. Cañada Cove and Ocean Corner were invited.
Cañada Cove
Walkie Talkie Radio Communications Network practice.
February 1 Neighborhood Meeting with Chief Cosgrave
Moonridge
March 6 Neighborhood Meeting with Chief Cosgrave
Previously held 2025 Coastside CERT events
(To be updated throughout the year)
2025
January
Neighborhood Leadership Forum Advanced CERT Training (ACT)*
Date: Saturday, January 25th
Time: Set-up and Sign-in: 8:00 am to 8:30 am
CLASS: 8:30 am to 11:30 am
Q&A/Re-set venue: 11:30 am to Noon
Location: 1191 Main Street Half Moon Bay
Coastside Fire Protection District Fire Station 40
Everyone with an interest in organizing their neighborhoods is invited. *Even though it is an ACT for most of us, non-CERTs who are involved or interested in neighborhood leadership are encouraged to attend. We will answer your questions and welcome your shared lessons learned from trying to organize your own neighborhoods.
Please use this LINK to sign up for the class! Each participant must register separately.
Overview of CERT, neighborhood organization, map review, discussion of rally points, and support for organized neighborhoods.
Neighborhood Communications/Emergency Communications.
Data Managers: CERT roster, privacy policy, neighborhood rosters and mailing lists.
Trials/Tribulations and Success Stories from organized neighborhoods.
Questions/Answers/Support Requests.
Discussion of appropriate Tsunami responses.
Break-out sessions to include: Ham radio information, forms/organization, tips on recruitment, etc.
If you have questions or a topic you want to be sure we cover, drop it onto the sign-up form at the link below.
Registration will close on Thursday, January 23rd.
Half Moon Bay High School Winter Real Life Learning Service Jam
Date: Thursday, January 30, 2025
Time: 11:45–12:25 PM
Location: HMBHS Auditorium
CERT Karen Hoffman organizes this event twice a year to sign up HMBHS students with local agencies and nonprofits for real life learning opportunities and to earn their 35 community service hours credits required for graduation. Coastside CERT is hosting a table at the event and will reserve spaces for HMBHS students in Spring CERT. This is Coastside's version of TEEN CERT.
Interested HMBHS students should check in with Karen and register for in-person Spring CERT Basic Training Academy at coastsidecert.com/training. Please add that you are a HMBHS student in the "other" section of the Google signup form.
February
Portable Fire Extinguisher Training Single Skills Educate the Coastside Event
Date: Saturday, February 22nd
Time: 7:45–10:30 AM
Location: Coastside Fire Station 40, 1191 Main St., HMB
Please call Senior Coastsiders at 650-726-9056 to request enrollment.
March
Spring CERT Instructional Q&A Zoom for Online Candidates
Date: March 12, 2025
Time: 6:30–8:30 PM
Location: A Zoom link will be sent to qualified students.
An Instructional Q&A Zoom led by Lead Instructor David Cosgrave to localize FEMA curriculum for Spring CERT online students who have completed the 10 online modules.
Spring CERT In-Person Basic Training Academy
Dates: Wednesday, March 19, Saturday, March 22, Wednesday, March 26, and Saturday, March 29
Time: Two Wednesday evenings 6:30–9:00 PM + Two Saturdays 9:00–4:00 PM
Location: Coastside Fire Station 40, 1191 Main St., HMB
Format: 3 classes + Training Day & Graduation.
Attendance: Required at all 4 sessions to graduate.
Eligibility: Open to everyone 18+; 14-17 yrs. with written permission of parent/guardian.
Questions? Please email coastsidecert@gmail.com
Spring CERT In-Person Class #1
Date: Wednesday, March 19th
Time: 6:30–9:00 PM
Location: Coastside Fire Station 40, 1191 Main St., HMB
Disaster Preparedness
Surviving Local Hazards
CERT Organization (ICS)
Intro to Radio Comms
Spring CERT In-Person Class #2
Date: Saturday, March 22nd
Time: 9:00–4:00 PM
Location: Coastside Fire Station 40, 1191 Main St., HMB
Disaster Medical Operations I
Triage
Disaster Medical Ops II
Light Search & Rescue
Spring CERT In-person Class #3
Date: Wednesday, March 26th
Time: 6:30–9:00 PM
Location: Coastside Fire Station 40, 1191 Main St., HMB
Disaster Psychology
Terrorism & CERT
Fire Safety & Utility Controls
Spring CERT Training Day & Graduation
Date: Saturday, March 29th
Time: 9:00–4:00 PM
Location: Coastside Fire Station 40, 1191 Main St., HMB
Orientation
Hands-On Skills Training
Disaster Simulation
Graduation
Coastside CERT thanks Coastside Gives, 100+ Coastside Women Who Give - Coastside, the Richard M. Schulze Foundation, and our generous donors for their support.
How will your donations be used?
Your donations are vital to our mission as we amplify our outreach
to serve more residents of the larger Coastside community
to serve more residents of the larger Coastside community
Free disaster preparedness & response training - basic training, ongoing refresher opportunities, and advanced CERT training classes in English, Spanish, and Chinese.
Communications infrastructure to send timely local safety messages, webinars, videos, tutorials, and Chief David Cosgrave's Newsletters.
Critical practice drills & mutual aid activations with other emergency response agencies, as during the CZU fires & burn scar debris flow evacuations and CERT volunteers who continuously staffed HMB COVID testing sites from June 2020 -June 2021.
Preparedness & response equipment.
Growth of neighbor helping neighbor networks in every local neighborhood as they work together to strengthen communication and resilience.
VIDEOS
To check out our CERT videos on our VIMEO channel, click here.