California CERT members now have an opportunity to attend the 2026 National CERT Conference through a limited scholarship program supporting volunteers across the state.
The conference will take place August 24–29, 2026 in Irvine, California, and marks the 40th anniversary of the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program. The event will bring together CERT volunteers, program managers, and emergency preparedness leaders from across the country to share best practices, training resources, and lessons learned that strengthen community resilience.
Scholarship Opportunity for California CERT Members
Scholarships are being provided through the Fire Services Training Institute, funded by the Cal OES Listos California CERT Support Grant.
Selected scholarship recipients will receive:
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Full conference registration
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Up to three nights of hotel lodging at the conference hotel for recipients who live more than 55 miles from the Hyatt Regency Irvine
These scholarships are designed to make the conference accessible to CERT members who might otherwise face barriers to attending.
Who Can Apply
The scholarship program is open to:
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Any California-based CERT member
Priority consideration will be given to applicants who:
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Live in counties with populations of 600,000 or fewer
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Identify accessibility, financial, or functional barriers that make attending the conference difficult
Application Requirements
To apply, applicants must submit a scholarship application that includes:
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A personal statement (500 words or fewer) describing:
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Their involvement with CERT
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Their personal story
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Financial or accessibility barriers to attending
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How they plan to bring what they learn back to their community
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Application Deadline
Scholarship applications must be submitted by:
May 1, 2026
Apply here:
https://bit.ly/4lbv6D2
Strengthening CERT Communities
The National CERT Conference provides an opportunity for volunteers to learn from experts, share experiences with other programs, and bring new knowledge back to their communities.
Programs like these help ensure CERT members remain prepared to support their neighborhoods during disasters and emergencies.
If you have questions about the scholarship program, please contact:
Mike Williams
Fire Services Training Institute
mike.williams@cafsti.or
