Cy-Fair CERT Class 43 Graduates After Nine-Week Emergency Preparedness Training
In a powerful testament to community resilience and readiness, Cy-Fair Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Class 43 officially graduated this week, completing an intensive nine-week course in disaster preparedness, emergency medical care, fire suppression, and more.
From their first class on April 29 to their final certification exercise in late June, the group of adult volunteers demonstrated unwavering commitment to the motto: "Neighbors helping neighbors." Their graduation marks more than just the end of a course—it marks the beginning of their role as trained community responders, ready to step up when professional emergency services are overwhelmed.
“We're so proud of each and every one of you for your commitment to making our local communities safer and more resilient,” Cy-Fair CERT shared in a recent Facebook post celebrating the milestone. “Your willingness to step up and help in times of need is truly inspiring.”
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Throughout the nine-week program, hosted at Lone Star College–Cy-Fair’s Emergency Services Education Center, volunteers learned real-world emergency skills directly from professionals, including the Cy-Fair Fire Department and TSA K-9 teams from George Bush Intercontinental Airport.
One particularly memorable evening in late June featured a visit from the TSA K-9 Unit, where participants were briefed on terrorism awareness and how to respond in an active shooter scenario. The hands-on demonstration provided an up-close look at the discipline and intelligence of working dogs, while reinforcing the importance of vigilance and response protocols.
The training journey also included extensive disaster medical education. In mid-June, volunteers learned how to perform triage, administer basic first aid, and safely transport injured individuals. Just a few weeks earlier, in late May, they practiced a variety of bandaging techniques, gaining confidence in providing immediate medical care in chaotic environments.
Cy-Fair CERT Class 43 members practice emergency patient transport during their final disaster Fire safety was another key component. Under the guidance of Cy-Fair Fire Department instructors, CERT members extinguished controlled fires in a supervised setting, putting theory into action and learning how to stay calm under pressure.
For many participants, CERT Class 43 was their first step into public service. The free program, open to adults 18 and older with no prior experience required, offers not only skills but also purpose.
“Everyday people can—and should—be prepared to act when seconds count,” said Trey Cox, Cy-Fair CERT Trainer and Facilitator, in an April 2025 article published by My Neighborhood News to help spread the word and encourage more residents to sign up. “We’re empowering neighbors to help each other and themselves in those critical moments before professional help arrives.
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Since its founding in 2007, Cy-Fair CERT has trained hundreds of volunteers from communities like Fairfield, Coles Crossing, Towne Lake, and Bear Creek. Alumni have gone on to support neighborhood disaster efforts, assist in local events, and even join larger organizations like the Medical Reserve Corps and Texas EquuSearch.
The CERT program, certified by FEMA and managed locally as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, also maintains Neighborhood S.A.F.E. (Supplies Available For Emergencies) stations and a Mobile Emergency Response Trailer, ensuring volunteers are equipped to respond when it matters most.
“CERT-trained citizens can step up, stabilize a situation, and save lives until help arrives,” Cox emphasized.
Graduates of Cy-Fair CERT Class 43 proudly pose after completing their nine-week emergency preparedness The heart of the program lies not just in learning first aid or search and rescue—but in building a connected, resilient community. As the new members of Class 43 don their CERT badges and backpacks filled with emergency gear, they carry more than tools—they carry trust.
For those inspired to step up and serve, keep an eye out for future training sessions—you could be part of the next class of community responders.
Stay tuned with My Neighborhood News for upcoming CERT training dates, community safety events, and volunteer opportunities throughout Cypress and the greater Cy-Fair area.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
