Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) and 40-Hour HAZWOPER Training

The Alaska Forum in partnership with the State of Alaska and EPA is excited to offer complimentary Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) and 40-Hour HAZWOPER Training to Alaskans residing in rural communities. 

• Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Training
  August 17-18, 2026
  BP Energy Center, Anchorage, AK
• 40-Hour Hazwoper Training
  August 3-7 or September 21-25, 2026
  EMI Offices in Midtown Anchorage or Online

The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program educates individuals about disaster preparedness and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue. 

40-Hour Hazwoper ensures each student has a thorough understanding of the potential hazards to health and safety associated with site cleanup and emergency response.

Students who successfully complete the CERT Training course will be provided a CERT Emergency Response Kit that includes a durable, tactical backpack, hard hat with CERT logo, safety goggles and gloves, surgical masks, a face shield, safety vest, flash lights and more!

Breakfast and lunch will be provided at the CERT Training. 

Travel and Reimbursement Information:

All travel reimbursement funding for this training has been claimed based on current registrations. You can select to be added to the waitlist for Travel Reimbursement in the case that someone cancels or more becomes available.

Students who successfully complete both the in-person CERT training and the 40-Hour HAZWOPER training may be eligible to receive up to $1,000 in travel and lodging reimbursement for the CERT in-person training if traveling from outside of the Anchorage area, limited funding is available so please indicate if you will be utilizing funding during registration. 

To qualify for reimbursement, participants must:

• Complete both required trainings.
• Submit a completed reimbursement form to the Alaska Forum within 30 days of completing the training.
• Provide itemized receipts for all eligible expenses. Per diem payments are not eligible for reimbursement.
• Use a separate reimbursement form for each payee. For example, if your employer paid for your airfare, submit a reimbursement form listing your employer as the payee. If you personally paid for meals, taxi fare, or other eligible expenses, submit a separate reimbursement form listing yourself as the payee.

Reimbursement forms will be distributed during the in-person training. Travel reimbursement is limited to the first 12 participants who indicate during registration that they intend to request reimbursement. If you do not anticipate needing travel assistance, please leave that option unselected so funding remains available for those who do.

To participate in this no-cost training opportunity, participants must complete both the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) course and the 40-Hour HAZWOPER training.

Contact Amy Penney at (907) 331-0282 or email info@akforum.org with questions.