Pasadena Disaster Training Classes Fill Fast as City Preaches Preparedness

The Pasadena Fire Department’s next free disaster preparedness training on February 28 has nearly filled its 30-person capacity, according to the department’s registration page, continuing a trend of strong enrollment that began after the department’s January session sold out.

The half-day Prepared Pasadena session at Jefferson Training Center covers five areas: personal preparedness, fire extinguisher training, basic first aid, light search and rescue techniques, and the Map Your Neighborhood program, which teaches residents how to organize their block for the first hours after a disaster.

The training is offered in English and Spanish. Eight spots remained as of mid-February.

“Preparedness continues to be the best way to stay safe,” Augustin said in a 2024. “The last few years, Southern California has seen the impact of disasters from tropical storms, flooding, earthquakes, and wildfires. All these incidents exemplify the importance of community emergency preparedness.”

The Prepared Pasadena program, offered by the Fire Department since at least 2024, is a half-day introduction to disaster preparedness.

For residents seeking more intensive training, the department is also offering two free three-day Community Emergency Response Team courses — a 21-hour program adopted from FEMA — in March and April.

The March CERT course begins March 21 and continues March 22 and March 28.

The April course runs April 11, 18, and 25. Both are held at Jefferson Training Center. Day 1 and Day 2 run from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Day 3 from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Registration for the first day covers all three days.

The March session had 20 of 35 spots filled as of mid-February; the April session had four of 35 enrolled.

Pasadena residents receive priority registration for CERT, according to the Fire Department. Participants must attend all three days and pass a final exam to earn certification.

The CERT program originated with the Los Angeles Fire Department in 1985 and was later adopted by FEMA for nationwide use, according to the Pasadena Fire Department’s website. Pasadena’s version builds on the standard 17.5-hour FEMA curriculum with additional instruction tailored to regional hazards, the department states. The training had been paused during the COVID-19 pandemic and was restarted during the 2024-2025 period.

The Prepared Pasadena training on February 28 runs from 8:30 a.m. to noon at Jefferson Training Center, 1500 East Villa Street.

Registration and the full 2026 training calendar are available at bit.ly/PreparedPasadena2026. Residents can also call the Fire Department at (626) 744-7276 or email:

PreparedPasadena@cityofpasadena.com.