CERT Level III - Advanced First Aid
Level III CERT is the highest level of training in LAFD's CERT program. Most CERT programs do not have second and third levels of training. Like in Level II, CERT 3 is not taught by LAFD. There is a Red Cross class which if you take, you will be given credit for CERT 3. Again, Red Cross does not teach CERT 3. They teach a course called “Emergency Response Advanced First Aid” ("E.R. Class"). ER Class used to be 52.5 hours and had a course number 32600. In late-2006, it was changed to reflect the new CPR standards and made into a 58 hour course and renumbered as 32601. In the 2006 ER Class at Red Cross in Torrance, the course started at a 58 hours course but additional sessions were added (as if this writing the course is still going on and its end is uncertain).
Different Red Cross chapters charge different prices. In late-2006 the price was $175 from Greater Los Angeles Chapter. This course is actually probably the best deal in Red Cross chapters, you not only get certified in their highest level of first aid class, which you can turn-in for CERT 3, you get a Professional Rescuer (C-Pro) CPR card and may get other certifications depending on how the particular instructor group runs the course.
Typically the instructors will outnumber the students. You will get lots of personal attention. If you are not performing to acceptable standard all the eyes watching you will know it. This class is not for someone casually dropping in as some CERT 1 students do.
Register for this class under their Red Cross course name and number. If you ask Red Cross for CERT classes they will not know what you are talking about.
Some serious people who want to be well prepared have reasoned, this Red Cross lass is not a good value. The course is not a national standard such as Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). They have reasoned, if I am going to put in 80-90 hours and pay $175 I can get EMT training for less and get more hours of training and end up with well known and accepted certification, EMT. Then they can stilts for national board examintuion.
All LAFD CERT instructors are at EMT level and some of them are Paramedics. However, the Red Cross in LA, will not be scheduling the course until after 2007 (if at all). I have not found any affordable options in LA between the Red Cross’ 4hr. first aid class and professional classes. This gap is a problem for it is likely in a major disaster that we will run across people in need if first aid, if it is not ourselves. (see: Additonal - Non-CERT Training).
