Empowering
communities of
all ages to create a safer, more resilient & wildfire ready environment for everyone!

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Community Readiness Programs

At West Slope Foundation, we believe in the power of community. Our Community Readiness Programs bring together families, friends, neighbors, and communities to get ready for the unexpected, create firebreaks around homes and neighborhoods, and—most importantly— help care for one another when it matters most. No matter your age, ability or background, you have something valuable to contribute to building our community’s resilience. From seasoned adults to curious kiddos, everyone plays a vital role in making sure we’re all safer, stronger, and ready for anything.

Our programs are about so much more than readiness, they’re about compassion, connection, and the realization that we’re at our best when we stand together. By joining

one of the Community Readiness programs, you’re gaining more than

life-saving skills, you’re joining a network of neighbors committed to supporting one another, especially when we need each other the most.

Together, let’s build a community that’s READY!

Pioneer Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT)

Pioneer CERT

Ideal for any skill or ability level (18+)

Pioneer Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program is an exciting opportunity for community members to make a significant impact in their community. By completing the 28-hour training, volunteers will be provided with the skills needed to help first responders during an emergency. Participants will be provided with hands-on experiences and comprehensive learning opportunities, empowering them to support themselves, their families, and their community during critical times.

Pioneer Teen CERT

Ideal for teens 16 - 18 with any skill or ability level

Becoming a Pioneer Teen CERT volunteer after completing the 28-hour training means you're ready to take on a crucial role in your community's emergency response efforts. As a Pioneer Teen CERT volunteer, you'll be working alongside professional emergency personnel and other key community members. This role empowers you make a difference during a disaster.

Pioneer CERT & Teen CERT

Gain Life-Saving Skills: Equip yourself with essential skills that can make a significant difference during emergencies.
Engage with Your Community: Become an integral part of your community's emergency response efforts, working alongside first responders and fellow volunteers.
Develop Leadership Abilities: Enhance your leadership skills and confidence by taking an active role in community preparedness efforts.
Make a Lasting Impact: By participating, you'll not only enhance your own readiness but also help build a safer and more resilient community.

Pioneer CERT & Teen CERT

Fire Safety: Learn how to prevent and respond to small fires, including the use of fire extinguishers, creating firebreaks, and understanding fire behavior.
Search and Rescue: Gain skills in conducting light search and rescue operations, including locating and extricating victims safely, as well as understanding building and structure safety.
Medical Operations: Receive training in basic first aid, triage, and providing medical support during emergencies.
Evacuee Support: Understand how to assist evacuees, including setting up shelters, managing resources, and providing emotional support.

Pioneer CERT & Teen CERT

Confidence in Handling Emergencies: Feel empowered and ready to protect yourself and your loved ones, knowing you have the knowledge and tools to respond effectively.
Practical Tools and Knowledge: Access easy-to-use checklists, informative signs, and forms designed to reduce stress and streamline your response during disasters.
A Sense of Accomplishment and Community Impact: Experience the satisfaction of making a meaningful difference in your community's safety and resilience.

Empowering volunteers of all ages
to get involved within their communities before, during, and after a disaster.

Nothing is stronger than a
community that stands together!

Community and Youth Readiness Ambassadors

Community Readines Ambassadors

Ideal for any skill or ability level and ages 18+

The Community Readiness Ambassador (CRA) (18+) empowers participants to make a significant difference in their communities by building on the basic Pioneer CERT training and gaining advanced skills in preparedness, evacuation, response, and recovery. Participants will not only protect their own homes but also support others during disasters, becoming integral parts of their communities and fostering resilience and readiness for various challenges.

Program Overview

Advanced Training: Comprehensive training that builds on the basic Pioneer CERT curriculum, including advanced skills in disaster preparedness, evacuation strategies, effective response techniques, and long-term recovery processes.
Career Development: Skills for careers in emergency management, first response, and social services. Participants engage in hands-on training, simulations, and community service projects, gaining real-world experience and networking opportunities.
Disaster Resiliency and Readiness: Enhance disaster resiliency and readiness through comprehensive training, including Teen CERT advanced trainings. Participants learn to create and implement emergency plans, support peers and the community during disasters, and participate in regular drills and training sessions.
Education: Provide essential knowledge about various types of disasters, their causes, and impacts. Participants learn about natural and human-made disasters, the science behind these events, historical examples, and socio-economic effects.
Empathy and Community Engagement: Instill empathy and social responsibility by understanding the experiences of disaster survivors. Participants engage in community service projects, disaster relief efforts, and awareness campaigns, fostering community resilience.
Empowerment: Encourage proactive disaster preparedness through hands-on activities, workshops, and community engagement. Participants gain confidence and a sense of responsibility by planning and executing preparedness strategies.
Leadership and Communication: Develop leadership roles and effective communication skills. Participants lead discussions, coordinate activities, and present findings, learning to convey important information clearly during disasters.
Personal Growth and Self-Awareness: Promote personal growth and self-awareness by reflecting on experiences and setting personal goals. Participants develop a growth mindset, becoming more resilient and adaptable in the face of challenges.
Skill Development: Enhance critical thinking and problem-solving skills through scenario-based learning, simulations, and Teen CERT advanced trainings. Participants learn to assess risks, make informed decisions, and develop effective communication strategies during emergencies.
Teamwork and Collaboration: Engage in group activities and projects to promote teamwork and collaboration. Participants build trust, enhance social skills, and learn the importance of working together in high-pressure situations.

Benefits of Participation

Career Skills: Gain hands-on experience, real-world training, and networking opportunities with professionals in emergency management and related fields.
Community Impact: Contribute to building a stronger, more resilient community that is better equipped to handle disasters.
Empathy: Foster a sense of social responsibility and community engagement, understanding the value of helping others during crises.
Leadership Opportunities: Develop leadership abilities and confidence by taking an active role in community preparedness efforts.
Life-Saving Skills: Gain valuable skills that can make a significant difference during emergencies, ensuring you are well-prepared to protect yourself and others.
Personal Growth: Build self-awareness, adaptability, and a growth mindset, enhancing resilience in the face of challenges.
Preparedness: Be equipped to handle emergencies, support community resilience, and contribute to long-term recovery efforts.
Teamwork: Learn the importance of collaboration and teamwork in high-pressure situations, working together to achieve common goals.

The Community Readiness Ambassador Program is more than just training; it's about fostering

compassion, connection, and a collective commitment to safety. By participating, you not only

enhance your own readiness but also help create a supportive and prepared community.

Junior Readiness Ambassadors

The Junior Readiness Ambassador (JRA) program is designed for youth aged 12 - 15 to enhance their understanding and skills in disaster readiness, evacuation, and recovery. This program aims to empower young adolescents to take proactive steps in preparing for emergencies and supporting their communities during and after disasters.

Topics Covered

Disaster Readiness: Equip JRAs with the knowledge and skills to prepare for various types of disasters. Participants learn about creating emergency plans, assembling disaster kits, and understanding the importance of preparedness.
Education: Provide essential knowledge about different types of disasters, their causes, and impacts. JRAs learn about natural and human-made disasters, the science behind these events, and historical examples.
Empowerment: Encourage proactive disaster preparedness through hands-on activities, workshops, and community engagement. JRAs gain confidence and a sense of responsibility by planning and executing preparedness strategies.
Empathy and Community Engagement: Instill empathy and social responsibility by understanding the experiences of disaster survivors. JRAs participate in community service projects, disaster relief efforts, and awareness campaigns.
Evacuation Strategies: Teach effective evacuation techniques, including how to safely evacuate homes, schools, and community centers. JRAs practice evacuation drills and learn to assist others during evacuations.
Leadership and Communication: Develop leadership roles and effective communication skills. JRAs lead discussions, coordinate activities, and present findings, learning to convey important information clearly during disasters.
Personal Growth and Self-Awareness: Promote personal growth and self-awareness by reflecting on experiences and setting personal goals. JRAs develop a growth mindset, becoming more resilient and adaptable in the face of challenges.
Recovery Phases: Focus on the recovery process after a disaster, including how to support community rebuilding efforts. JRAs learn about the steps involved in recovery, such as assessing damage, providing aid, and fostering community resilience.
Skill Development: Enhance critical thinking and problem-solving skills through scenario-based learning and simulations. JRAs learn to assess risks, make informed decisions, and develop effective communication strategies during emergencies.
Teamwork and Collaboration: Engage in group activities and projects to promote teamwork and collaboration. JRAs build trust, enhance social skills, and learn the importance of working together in high-pressure situations.

Benefits of Participation

Empathy: Foster a sense of social responsibility and community engagement, understanding the value of helping others during crises.
Leadership: Develop leadership and communication abilities, preparing JRAs to effectively manage and mitigate the impacts of disasters.
Personal Growth: Build self-awareness, adaptability, and a growth mindset, enhancing resilience in the face of challenges.
Preparedness: Be equipped to handle emergencies and support community resilience.
Teamwork: Learn the importance of collaboration and teamwork in high-pressure situations, working together to achieve common goals.

Ideal for any skill or ability level and ages 12- 15

Senior Readiness Ambassadors

The Senior Readiness Ambassadors (SRA) program empowers youth aged 16-18 to positively impact their communities by developing essential skills and leading initiatives focused on disaster resiliency, preparedness, evacuation, response, and recovery. The program integrates advanced Teen CERT trainings to enhance participants' emergency response capabilities.

Topics Covered

Career Development: Equip SRAs with skills for careers in emergency management, first response, and social services. Participants engage in hands-on training, simulations, and community service projects, gaining real-world experience and networking opportunities.
Disaster Resiliency and Readiness: Enhance disaster resiliency and readiness through comprehensive training, including Teen CERT advanced trainings. SRAs learn to create and implement emergency plans, support peers and the community during disasters, and participate in regular drills and training sessions.
Education: Provide essential knowledge about various types of disasters, their causes, and impacts. SRAs learn about natural and human-made disasters, the science behind these events, historical examples, and socio-economic effects.
Empowerment: Encourage proactive disaster preparedness through hands-on activities, workshops, and community engagement. SRAs gain confidence and a sense of responsibility by planning and executing preparedness strategies.
Empathy and Community Engagement: Instill empathy and social responsibility by understanding the experiences of disaster survivors. SRAs participate in community service projects, disaster relief efforts, and awareness campaigns, fostering community resilience.
Leadership and Communication: Develop leadership roles and effective communication skills. SRAs lead discussions, coordinate activities, and present findings, learning to convey important information clearly during disasters.
Personal Growth and Self-Awareness: Promote personal growth and self-awareness by reflecting on experiences and setting personal goals. SRAs develop a growth mindset, becoming more resilient and adaptable in the face of challenges.
Skill Development: Enhance critical thinking and problem-solving skills through scenario-based learning, simulations, and Teen CERT advanced trainings. SRAs learn to assess risks, make informed decisions, and develop effective communication strategies during emergencies.
Teamwork and Collaboration: Engage in group activities and projects to promote teamwork and collaboration. SRAs build trust, enhance social skills, and learn the importance of working together in high-pressure situations.

Benefits of Participating

Career Skills: Gain hands-on experience, real-world training, and networking opportunities with professionals in emergency management and related fields.
Preparedness: Be equipped to handle emergencies, support community resilience, and contribute to long-term recovery efforts.
Leadership: Develop leadership and communication abilities, preparing SRAs to effectively manage and mitigate the impacts of disasters.
Empathy: Foster a sense of social responsibility and community engagement, understanding the value of helping others during crises.
Personal Growth: Build self-awareness, adaptability, and a growth mindset, enhancing resilience in the face of challenges.
Teamwork: Learn the importance of collaboration and teamwork in high-pressure situations, working together to achieve common goals.

By participating in the SRA program, students will be better prepared for future careers and equipped to contribute to the safety and resilience of their communities, with enhanced skills from Teen CERT advanced trainings.

Ideal for any skill or ability level and ages 16 - 18

Littlest Readiness Ambassadors

The Littlest Readiness Ambassadors (LRA) program introduces children aged 6-11 to the basics of disaster readiness.

This program aims to engage young children in creating household disaster plans, learning evacuation procedures, and participating in hands-on activities that involve the whole family.

Topics Covered

Empathy and Community Engagement: Instill a sense of empathy by teaching LRAs how to help others during emergencies. Children participate in community service projects and learn the value of supporting their neighbors.
Family Involvement: Encourage families to work together in preparing for disasters. LRAs learn the importance of teamwork and communication within their household.
Household Disaster Plan: Guide LRAs in creating a household disaster plan that involves the entire family. This includes identifying safe spots in the home, knowing emergency contacts, and understanding the steps to take during different types of emergencies.
Home and Community Evacuation: Educate LRAs on how to safely evacuate their homes and community centers. Children practice evacuation drills and learn to follow instructions during emergencies.
Hands-On Learning: Engage LRAs in interactive activities that reinforce disaster readiness concepts. This includes assembling emergency kits, participating in mock drills, and learning basic first aid.
Introduction to Disaster Readiness: Teach LRAs about different types of disasters and the importance of being prepared. Children learn simple concepts about safety and preparedness in a fun and engaging way.
Personal Growth and Self-Awareness: Promote personal growth by helping LRAs understand their role in disaster preparedness. Children develop confidence and a sense of responsibility through their participation.
Skill Development: Enhance critical thinking and problem-solving skills through age-appropriate scenarios and activities. LRAs learn to make decisions and communicate effectively during emergencies.
Teamwork and Collaboration: Foster teamwork by engaging LRAs in group activities. Children learn to work together to achieve common goals, especially in high-pressure situations.

Benefits of Participation

Empathy: Foster a sense of social responsibility and community engagement, teaching children the value of helping others.
Personal Growth: Build self-awareness and adaptability, enhancing resilience in the face of challenges.
Preparedness: Equip children with the knowledge and skills to handle emergencies and support their families.
Teamwork: Learn the importance of collaboration and teamwork, working together to achieve common goals.

The Littlest Readiness Ambassadors Program is more than just training; it's about fostering

compassion, connection, and a collective commitment to safety. By participating, young children not only

enhance their own readiness but also help create a supportive and prepared community.

Ideal for any skill or ability level and ages 12- 15

Community and Youth Readiness Ambassador Trainings

Currently finalizing schedule. To help us get to know what you are interested in and your availability for

trainings by taking a short survey. Please click on the button below and

help us develop our Community and Youth Readiness Ambassador programs even more.

Check back in May 2025 to see the full schedule.

See Informational Flyer

Take Survey

Empowering communities of all ages to create a safer, more resilient & wildfire ready environment for everyone!

Quick Links:

Community Readiness Programs

Pioneer Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT)

Pioneer CERT

Pioneer Teen CERT

Empowering volunteers of all ages to get involved within their communities before, during, and after a disaster. Nothing is stronger than a community that stands together!

Community and Youth Readiness Ambassadors

Community Readines Ambassadors

Empowering
communities of
all ages to create a safer, more resilient & wildfire ready environment for everyone!

Empowering volunteers of all ages
to get involved within their communities before, during, and after a disaster.

Nothing is stronger than a
community that stands together!