Lake Forest honors 10th Community Emergency Response Team graduating class; next CERT training set for Sept. 8, 2025

The Lake Forest City Council on April 1 recognized graduates of the city’s 10th Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) basic training program and thanked volunteer instructors and partner agencies after a presentation and a short video showcasing the final disaster simulation exercise.

A city official leading the presentation said the class — one of the largest since 2019 — completed training in disaster preparedness, fire safety, basic first aid, light search and rescue, disaster psychology and CERT organization. The city’s communications and marketing intern, Maxwell Bennett, produced a video shown to the council that highlighted the final mock earthquake exercise.

The city thanked volunteer instructors Bill Corbett, Dave Ferger, Jean Kula, Dan Pilletier, Steve Root and John Whelan, and acknowledged Orange County Fire Authority Captain Augie Romo for providing live fire-extinguisher instruction and training on fire and utility safety. Organizers also recognized volunteers who played injured “survivors” in the simulation and invited the graduates and volunteers onto the dais for photos.

City staff announced the next CERT Basic Training Program will begin on Sept. 8, 2025, and gave a city website link for residents interested in joining. Council members thanked the class and urged other residents to consider CERT training, saying neighborhood-level volunteers strengthen community resilience ahead of large-scale emergencies.

No formal council action was required; the event was a recognition and photo opportunity.