HSEM proudly offers and supports a variety of training and learning opportunities for members of the community to become more prepared. We are building a more resilient community through preparedness education programs.
Ready Together: The Basics of Emergency Preparedness for You, Your Family & Your Neighborhood (2 hours in person)
Austin's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM) offers the community a basic emergency preparedness training resource: Ready Together, a classroom training on the basics of preparedness.
This free, 2-hour course is open to community members, regardless of preparedness knowledge. The course will provide an introduction from the experts on how to practice the four steps of emergency preparedness: making a plan, building a kit, knowing your neighbors, and staying informed. Attendees will gain practical knowledge on how to prepare their home, family, and community for a variety of hazards.
HSEM hosted the pilot Ready Together: Basic Emergency Preparedness for You, Your Family & Your Neighborhood (Classroom Training) course on Thursday, September 28, 2023 from 6-8 p.m. at the Montopolis Recreation & Community Center, 1200 Montopolis Dr., Austin, TX 78741. 39 people attended the training.
Ready Together is developed in partnership with Austin Watershed Protection Department, Ascension Seton, Go Austin/Vamos Austin, City of Austin Office of Resilience, University of Texas Medical Reserve Corps, and Austin Fire Department.
Ready Together is offered quarterly in 2024. See below for planned dates and locations. Click the date to register. There is no cost to register, but space is limited.
2024 Ready Together Community Preparedness Trainings Schedule
| Date* | Time* | Location* | Slideshow | Resources |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thurs., Feb. 8, 2024 | 5:30-7:30 p.m. | Widen Elementary School | Winter Module En español |
Lotería Activity |
| Thurs., May 9, 2024 | 5:30-7:30 p.m. | Spicewood Springs Branch | ||
| Thurs., Aug. 15, 2024 | 5:30-7:30 p.m. | University Hills Branch | ||
| Thurs., Oct. 10, 2024 | 5:30-7:30 p.m. | Hampton Branch |
*Dates and locations are subject to change. Check back regularly for updates.
Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)
The City of Austin does not have CERT training classes scheduled. FEMA offers self-paced CERT courses that can be taken at any time.
FEMA Independent Study IS-317: Introduction to CERT (2 hours on-line). This Independent Study (IS) course is an introduction to the CERT program.
FEMA Independent Study IS-315 CERT and ICS (2 hours on-line) This Independent Study (IS) course introduces CERT leaders to the Incident Command System (ICS), a proven management system used by emergency managers.
Homeland Security and Emergency Management: Training or Speaker Request
Please fill out this form to request a HSEM staff member to facilitate a training, serve on a panel, table at an event, or be a guest speaker.
Requests should be made at least 3 weeks in advance of the event date. Please allow 2-3 business days for a HSEM staff member to follow up.
