August 24, 2025
DeWitt County is taking a proactive step toward strengthening local emergency preparedness by laying the groundwork for its own Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). The initiative, led by the DeWitt County Office of Emergency Management, aims to train volunteers who can assist first responders, support neighbors during crises, and foster a culture of resilience across the region.
The first opportunity for residents to get involved begins this October, when basic CERT training—officially known as Course G-317—will be offered just down the road in Victoria. The training will take place October 25–27, 2025, at the Victoria Office of Emergency Management, located at 205 N. Bridge Street, Suite B-101. Sessions will run from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM on Saturday and Sunday, with a final evening session on Monday from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM.
Participants will receive hands-on instruction in disaster preparedness, fire safety and suppression, light search and rescue, disaster medical operations, and effective team communication. These foundational skills are designed to empower everyday citizens to act decisively and safely in the face of emergencies—whether natural disasters, accidents, or other community-wide disruptions.
Though the training is hosted in Victoria, the goal is to bring that expertise home. By attending in a neighboring county, DeWitt residents will benefit from experienced instructors and a well-established program, then use that knowledge to help build a CERT team tailored to the needs of their own community.
To register, interested individuals must first obtain a FEMA Student Identification Number (SID) at cdp.dhs.gov/femasid, and create a TDEM Blackboard account at training.tdem.texas.gov. Once those steps are complete, they can search for Course G-317 at brnw.ch/21wV6sr to enroll.
For assistance with registration or questions about the program, residents are encouraged to contact Billy Jordan at the DeWitt County Office of Emergency Management by phone at 361-275-0878 or via email at Billy.Jordan@dwcotx.org.
As DeWitt County begins to shape its own CERT program, local participation will be key. Volunteers won’t just be learning how to respond—they’ll be helping to build a network of trust, readiness, and care that could make all the difference when it matters most.