Find up-to date information on how you can contribute to local food assistance programs and flyers.
With new "Zone 0" regulations coming, learn the essential steps to make your home ember-resistant and create effective defensible space.
2025/2026 Coastside CERT Calendar
Stay tuned! We are pleased to present a whole year of CERT training opportunities & events. This is the current plan but life happens and everything is subject to change. We endeavor to let everyone know program dates as early as possible but sometimes that results in having to change dates, times, or locations as we get closer to the actual event. We'll keep you updated right here. All classes are offered free of charge.
CERT Basic Training
Start here. Offered twice a year, Spring and Fall. Thank you for your enthusiastic responses! Fall 2025 CERT is full. Spring CERT 2026 is open for registration. You may choose in-person training coursework (preferred option) leading to Training Day & Graduation or online coursework that dovetails into the same in-person Training Day & Graduation.
Advanced CERT Training (ACT)
For Certified CERTs only. Classes are offered for all of you awesome certificated CERTs (currently, there are 509 Coastside CERTs). It's an a la carte menu of topical classes usually held at Coastside Fire Station 40, 1191 Main St, Half Moon Bay. These classes provide an opportunity to focus on a specific CERT skill or topic and to get hands-on practice as appropriate.
Educate the Coastside (ETC)
These classes are open to all Coastsiders. Previous topics included "Shake & Bake"- Earthquake & Wildfire + Disaster Food & Water Preparation, Stop the Bleed, Disaster First Aid, and Storm Safety.
2026 ACT & ETC training topics:
Neighborhood Leadership Forum
Fire Wise Communities & Hardening Your Home
Radiopalooza - Radio Training: Walkie-Talkie Basics and Beyond
Great Coastside ShakeOut Prep + Volunteer Appreciation Lunch!
Shake & Bake - Earthquake & Disaster Food & Water Prep
Storm Safety 2.0 - Electrical and Utility Safety
Emergency Operations Center Joint Training Program
Coastside CERT Neighborhood Action - Please scroll down to see what's happening where you live.
Neighborhood Leads, want your neighborhood events, radio practices, and drills listed on this calendar? Happy to post them! Please send a brief description to coastsidecert@gmail.com
2026
April
Coastside Gives - Early Giving Begins
- Let's Get Started! We Need Your Donation to keep everything we do free of charge for our whole community.
Date: All of April -> May 7
Time: All day
Location: Online https://www.coastsidegives.org/organization/Coastsidecert
Hood 2 Hood Neighborhood Leadership Meeting
Date: April 14, 2026
Time: 7:00-8:30 PM
Location: Zoom
Dream Machines
Date: April 26, 2026
Time: 10:00 AM-4:00 PM
Location: Half Moon Bay Airport, 9850 North Cabrillo Highway
Half Moon Bay's Festival of Magnificent Machines There are car shows, air shows, motorcycle shows, tractor shows, maker fairs, music festivals, food festivals, and living history festivals galore. This is not CERT's party but many of our Ham operators support this exciting community event.
May
Coastside Gives Day - Please do!
Date: All of April -> May 7 "Coastside Gives Day"
Time: Until 12 Midnight on May 7
Location: Online https://www.coastsidegives.org/organization/Coastsidecert
Coastside CERT is focused on creating ready and resilient neighborhoods from Montara to Tunitas Creek. We provide free training to prepare residents to save themselves and their families, help neighbors with emergency needs, and quickly and accurately communicate with first responder agencies. This training is offered at no cost to those living on the Coast in English, Spanish and Chinese.
This is our one-time ask for community donations each year. We do not charge for classes or materials to provide everyone with equal access to emergency preparedness and response training. Please help us continue to expand this important volunteer service mission for the Coastside community free of charge.
Amateur Radio License Class & Exam
May 2nd, May 9th & May 23rd
FCC Exams May 23rd 2026
Technician Licensing Class
Members from the Half Moon Bay and SC4 Amateur Radio clubs will be conducting a free 2½ day Technician Licensing Class on May 2 and May 9, beginning at 10 AM at the HMB Library. There will also be a short half day class on May 23d (from 10 AM - 11:30) followed by the FCC exams (see below).
To register for the class, please email licensing@hmbarc.org (or if you have questions). See www.hmbarc.org for more info.
FCC Licensing Exam
We will also hold an in-person FCC Licensing Exam on Saturday May 23, 2026 from 11:30 AM until 2 PM at the HMB Library. All three license class exams will be offered and it is not required that you attend the Licensing class.
To register for the exam, please do so before May 16 2026 FCC Exam.
Why Get Licensed?
Once licensed, amateur ("ham") radio allows you to communicate over long distances without relying on the internet or the cell phone network. It is great for emergencies, outdoor communications, fun and experimentation!
[Download Printable Flyer]
Radio Communications: Walkie-Talkie Basics and Beyond (ACT)
Date: Saturday, May 9th
Time: Basics 8:00-11:30 & Advanced 12:45-4:00
Location: Coastside Fire Station 40, 1191 Main St., Half Moon Bay
📻 Join Us for a Day of Hands-On Walkie Talkie Radio Training!
CERT Radio Officer Scott Pyne will be leading these sessions, helping us strengthen our emergency communication skills. Whether you’re a beginner or experienced with radios, there’s a class for you!
🔹 Two Separate Classes – Choose One or Both!
Each session requires a separate registration. Please register here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfIkWzApJRYfF1aZaW2gS4ahxNZBRgDSdoeYdGuv-7Aa3_hfA/viewform
Morning Session: Walkie Talkie Basics & Practice
Time: 8:00–11:30 AM
Sign-in & Set-up: 8:00–8:30 AM
Class: 8:30–11:00 AM (includes outdoor practice exercise)
Q&A & Recap: 11:00–11:30 AM
Who Should Attend?
If you're new to walkie-talkies and want to learn:
“How do I program the channel?”
“How do I actually talk on the radio?”
“How can I improve my radio manner/skills?”
If you routinely participate in a neighborhood net or are already a ham licensee, this class will likely be too basic for you.
LUNCH BREAK (11:30–12:15 PM)
For instructors, training team, and continuing students.
Bring your own lunch.
Afternoon Session: Advanced Walkie-Talkie Topics & Practice
Time: 1:00–4:00 PM
Sign-in: 12:45–1:00 PM
Class: 1:00–3:30 PM
Q&A & Recap: 3:30–4:00 PM
Re-set of FS40: 4:00–4:30 pm (all students to assist)
Who Should Attend?
If you meet any of the following:
You attended the morning session (or took last year’s basics class).
You are a ham licensee.
You routinely use a walkie-talkie for neighborhood nets, drills and exercises.
You've participated in the Great Shakeout in a radio role.
Topics Covered:
Directed network operations
Procedural words
The phonetic alphabet
Message passing protocols
Limited to 30 CERTs per session – Register today! (Registration link will go live closer to the event)
Radio communication is a vital skill in emergencies. Don’t miss this opportunity to sharpen yours!
June
Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Joint Operations Exercise (ACT)
Date: Saturday, June 13
Time: TBD
Location: Multiple EOC/DOC + neighborhood locations in La Honda and Half Moon Bay
Purpose: CERT, Ham Radio, Fire, and Emergency Management Coordination
Coastside EOC/DOC Training Program
The training is designed to prepare CERT members and Ham radio operators to effectively staff and operate in Emergency Operations Centers (EOCs) and Department Operations Centers (DOCs) during real emergencies on the San Mateo County Coastside.
More info to follow.
July
Great Coastside ShakeOut Practice & Volunteer Appreciation Lunch
Date: Saturday, July 18th
Time: 9:00-1:00
Location: Coastside Fire Station 40, 1191 Main Street, HMB
More Info to follow.
August
SMC Disaster Prep Day
Date: Saturday, August 1, 2026
Time: Morning to Early Afternoon
Location: San Mateo County Events Center, 1346 Saratoga Dr., San Mateo, 94403
Free Admission & Parking
This event provides community members with a direct opportunity connect to with county-wide disaster preparedness resources and information.
More info to follow.
Shake & Bake - Disaster Food & Water for Coastsiders (ETC)
Date: Saturday, August 15, 2026
Time: 10:00-noon
Location: Coastal Repertory Theatre, 167 Main Street, Half Moon Bay, 94019
Certificated CERT instructor Matt Linton will share practical advice on how to build your supplies for both shelter-in-place and evacuation when disaster strikes. Matt currently works as a critical incident manager in the tech industry and has 27 years of experience in both professional and volunteer Fire & Rescue roles. He is a Coastside Volunteer Firefighter.
Maximum class size is 150 people and prior registration is required. Please use this LINK (will go live closer to the event date) to sign-up for the class. Each participant must register separately.
More info to follow.
September
Half Moon Bay High School Fall Real Life Learning Service Jam
Date: TBD
Time: Lunchtime
Location: HMBHS Courtyard
Christina Frediani organizes this event twice a year to sign up HMBHS students with local agencies and nonprofits for real life learning opportunities and to earn community service credits toward the 35 hours required for graduation. Coastside CERT is hosting a table at the event and will reserve spaces for HMBHS students in Fall CERT. Students who graduate from Fall CERT earn 20 community service hour credits. This is Coastside's version of TEEN CERT.
20 HMBHS students have graduated as credentialed Coastside CERTs.
Interested HMBHS students should register by following the prompts at top of this page for in-person Fall CERT Basic Training Academy. Please add that you are a HMBHS student in the "other" section of the Google signup form.
Get Ready for the Great Coastside ShakeOut - Webinar (ETC)
Date: Wednesday, September 23rd
Time: 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM
Webinar Registration: Use this zoom link (activated closer to event date) to register
Coastside CERT is kicking off the annual community-wide preparedness practice with an informative webinar on EARTHQUAKES and TSUNAMIS. David Cosgrave, the Program Manager for Coastside CERT, will provide relevant and timely information on how Coastside residents can prepare and respond to an earthquake or tsunami.
7th Annual Great Coastside ShakeOut
Date: Saturday, September 26th
Time: 10:00 AM–12:00 PM
Location: CERT Neighborhoods and the CEOC
Coastside CERT would be honored to have all residents of our CERT Neighborhoods participate in the 7th Annual Coastside Great ShakeOut Earthquake Education and Communications Exercise. This is the only Coastside-wide earthquake drill and radio exercise. Allied agencies welcome!
The Coastside Great ShakeOut Communications Exercise will be on Saturday, September 26th starting at 10:00 am and ending around 12:00 PM. Each active CERT neighborhood will have an opportunity to practice vital skills that will be needed in the event of a major earthquake or other disaster. Look forward to great ways to connect and learn as a community. Many neighborhoods will have family-friendly aspects to their exercise activities. Look for more information in directly from your Neighborhood Leads.
For questions or to express interest in participating please contact your own Neighborhood Leads (see contact info under the “Neighborhoods - Get Involved” on the top toolbar of the website, above), Coastside CERT at coastsidecert@gmail.com, or Jenny at fcprepared@gmail.com.
October
Pumpkin Festival
Date: Saturday, October 17th - Sunday, October 18th
Time: All-Day
Location: Downtown HMB
This is not CERT's party, of course, but we do encourage our membership to volunteer as private individuals to support their favorite local nonprofits.
November
Fall CERT In-Person Basic Training Academy
This is a 5-class course taught in English. Attending all 5 classes is required for graduation.
Dates, Times & Locations:
Class #1 Wednesday evening Zoom, October 28, 6:30-8:30 PM
Class #2 Wednesday evening, November 4, 6:30 - 9:00 PM, Coastside Fire Station 40, 1191 Main St., HMB
Class #3 Saturday, November 7, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM, Coastside Fire Station 40, 1191 Main St., HMB
Class #4 Wednesday evening, November 11, 6:30 - 9:00 Zoom
Class #5 Saturday, November 14, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM, Coastside Fire Station 40, 1191 Main St., HMB
Location: Coastside Fire Station 40, 1191 Main St., HMB
Format: 2 Zoom classes + 3 In Person Classes, including the last class: Training Day & Graduation.
Attendance: Required at all 5 sessions to graduate.
Eligibility: Open to everyone 18+; 14-17 yrs. with parent/guardian written permission. All classes will be taught in English by David Cosgrave and his team of certificated CERT instructors. HMBHS students who graduate from the course receive 20 hours of community service credit.
Questions? Please email coastsidecert@gmail.com
CERT Class #1
Date: Wednesday, October 28th
Time: 6:30–8:30 PM
Location: Zoom
How to Survive Local Hazards:
Fire in Tom Lantos Tunnels
Tsunami
Flooding
Downed Power Lines & Electrified Water
Earthquake
Wildfire Evacuations
Extended Power/Utility Outage
CERT Organization - Intro to ICS
CERT Class #2
Date: Wednesday, November 4th
Time: 6:30–9:00 PM
Location: Coastside Fire Station 40, 1191 Main St., HMB
Introductions
Disaster Service Worker Oath and Hold Harmless Forms
Disaster Preparedness
Intro to Radio Comms
CERT Class #3
Date: Saturday, November 7th
Time: 9:00–4:00 PM
Location: Coastside Fire Station 40, 1191 Main St., HMB
Fire Safety & Utility Controls
Light Search & Rescue
Disaster Medical Operations I + Stop the Bleed
Triage
Disaster Medical Ops II + Files of Life
CERT Class #4
Date: Wednesday, November 11th
Time: 6:30–9:00 PM
Location: Zoom
Disaster Psychology & Mental Health
Terrorism & CERT
Coastside CERT Next Steps
CERT Class #5 Training Day & Graduation
Date: Saturday, November 14th
Time: 9:00–4:00 PM
Location: Coastside Fire Station 40, 1191 Main St., HMB
Orientation
Hands-On Skills Training
Disaster Simulation
Graduation
December
Holiday break! 🎁 - no training or meetings except events organized by neighborhoods.
Local Neighborhood Events
Coastside CERTs organize their own local neighborhood events.
Coastside CERTs organize their own local neighborhood events.
Events in black type are upcoming or recurring activities. Previous events are noted in grey typeface.
Montara
Walkie Talkie Radio Communications Network (Net) practice. First Tuesday of Every Month, 7:00 p.m. Channel 22.
Scheduling Evacuation Drill Town Hall Meeting
Moss Beach
Walkie Talkie Radio Communications Network practice. Fourth Tuesday of Every Month, 7:00 p.m. Channel 3.
El Granada
EG Prepared: Walkie Talkie Radio Communications Network practice. Weekly on Tuesdays. 6:30 p.m. on Channel 21.
El Granada Community Preparedness Meeting, 1st Wednesday of each Month, 6:30 p.m. at EG Fire Station 41
July 2: No meeting scheduled for July
June 4: PG&E will discuss their recent equipment stagings at Pillar Point Harbor when heavy storms were expected
May 7: DART Support in Emergencies
April 8: Firewise Community
Mar 5: Tsunami Briefing from David Cosgrave, DEM
Feb 5: Master Gardeners Presentation - Defensible Space
East Miramar
Walkie Talkie Radio Communications Network practice. First and Third Monday of every Month. 7:00 p.m. (1900) on Channel 6.
Frenchman’s Creek
FCPrepared: Walkie Talkie Radio Communications Network practice. Third Monday of each Month. 7:00 p.m. (1900 local) on Channel 8.
Kehoe/Casa del Mar
Highland Park
Alsace Lorraine
Walkie Talkie Radio Communications Network practice. Second Monday of Every Month, 7:00 p.m. Channel 22.
Ocean Colony
February 2 Neighborhood Meeting with Chief Cosgrave and Battalion Chief Anderson. Cañada Cove and Ocean Corner were invited.
Cañada Cove
Walkie Talkie Radio Communications Network practice.
February 1 Neighborhood Meeting with Chief Cosgrave
Moonridge
March 6 Neighborhood Meeting with Chief Cosgrave
Previously held 2025 and 2026 Coastside CERT events
(To be updated throughout the year)
2026
January
Neighborhood Leadership Forum Advanced CERT Training (ACT)*
Date: Saturday, January 17th
Time: Set-up and Sign-in: 8:00 am to 8:30 am
CLASS: 8:30 am to 11:30 am
Q&A/Re-set venue: 11:30 am to Noon
Location: 1191 Main Street Half Moon Bay, Coastside Fire Protection District Fire Station 40
Everyone with an interest in organizing their neighborhoods is invited. *Even though it is an ACT for most of us, non-CERTs who are involved or interested in neighborhood leadership are encouraged to attend. We will answer your questions and welcome your shared lessons learned from trying to organize your own neighborhoods.
Please use this LINK to sign up for the class! Each participant must register separately.
Overview of CERT, neighborhood organization, map review, discussion of rally points, and support for organized neighborhoods.
Neighborhood Communications/Emergency Communications.
Data Managers: CERT roster, privacy policy, neighborhood rosters and mailing lists.
Trials/Tribulations and Success Stories from organized neighborhoods.
Questions/Answers/Support Requests.
Break-out sessions to include: Ham radio information, forms/organization, tips on recruitment, etc.
If you have questions or a topic you want to be sure we cover, drop it onto the sign-up form.
PG&E Presentation: Storm Safety 2.0 (ETC)
Date: Saturday, January 31, 2025
Time: 10:00–Noon
Location: Half Moon Bay Yacht Club, 214 Princeton Ave, Half Moon Bay
How to avoid being electrocuted by downed powerlines and electrically charged water (among other useful topics). Coastside CERT is delighted to announce the return of PG&E spokesperson Frank Fraone (as seen on TV) by popular demand to make his timely presentation. Ironically, when Frank last came to the Coastside in December 2024, there was a big storm and power outage that prevented about 2/3 of our audience from attending (although 55 souls braved the storm and gave Frank a standing ovation). This is your chance to see one of the best reviewed presentations of the year filled with practical advice for surviving storm conditions and other electrical and gas emergencies on the Coastside.
Click Here to Sign Up! (link removed)
Wow! Thank you for a great response! We received more than 100 RSVPs as of 1/7/2026.
This class is full and registration is closed.
This CERT Educate the Coastside event was open to all. Admission is free but registration was required because all-weather seating in the lovely HMBYC Event Center is limited to 100 places.
February
Half Moon Bay High School Winter Real Life Learning Service Jam
Date: February 4, 2026
Time: Lunchtime - 12:45 AM –1:25 PM
Location: HMBHS Courtyard
Christina Frediani organizes this event twice a year to sign up HMBHS students with local agencies and nonprofits for real life learning opportunities and to earn their 35 community service hours credits required for graduation. Coastside CERT is hosting a table at the event and will reserve spaces for HMBHS students in Spring CERT. This is Coastside's version of TEEN CERT.
24 high school students have graduated as credentialed Coastside CERTs.
Interested HMBHS students should register by following the prompts at top of this page for in-person Spring CERT Basic Training Academy. Please add that you are a HMBHS student in the "other" section of the Google signup form.
CERT Skills Refresher (ACT)
Date: Saturday, February 21
Time: 9:00–2:00 PM
9:00 am – 9:15 am: Set-up and Sign-in
9:15 am - 1:30 pm: Class
1:30 - 2:00 pm: Q&A & Re-set of Fire Station 40
Location: Coastside Fire Station 40, 1191 Main St., HMB
Please use this LINK to sign up for the class! Each participant must register separately.
This Advanced CERT Training (ACT) is open to all certificated CERTs on the Coastside. We will offer a veritable smorgasbord of stations allowing you plenty of “hands-on” time to practice skills with guidance from mentors at each station. We will focus on those medical skills, search & rescue techniques, fire & utility controls, and other skills that have not been emphasized in recent ACTs. This is not to be missed!
This is an excellent way to practice those skills you may not have revisited since your graduation day!
Purpose: All CERTs are invited to come and update their skills at multiple skills stations.
Fire Suppression, including utility control
Triage
Stop The Bleed
Clear the Airway
Mass Casualty Collection Point
Lift & Carry
Patient Assessment
Splint Positioning
Documentation Tracking
Search & rescue, including cribbing and damage assessment
IMPORTANT:
Each participant must register individually.
Space is limited: minimum class size is 25 and maximum class size is 70.
The first 70 registrants will be in the class, and the remainder will be on the waitlist.
Registration will close on February 18th.
THINGS TO REMEMBER OR BRING:
Bring your CERT backpack, vest, PPE, name tag, clipboard, and writing implement.
Bring water and a snack!
You must wear closed-toed shoes. Please wear long pants and dress for the weather (we will be outside for most of the class)
March
Spring CERT Basic Training Academy Thank you for a great response! - This course is FULL.
Interested, but closed out of Spring CERT? Scroll down and consider signing up for Fall CERT in November.
This is a 5-class course taught in English. Attending all 5 classes is required for graduation.
Dates, Times & Locations:
Wednesday evening, March 11, 6:30-8:30 PM, Zoom
Wednesday evening, March 18, 6:30 - 9:00 PM, Coastside Fire Station 40, 1191 Main St., HMB
Saturday, March 21, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM, Coastside Fire Station 40, 1191 Main St., HMB
Wednesday evening, March 25, 6:30 - 9:00 PM, Zoom
Saturday, March 28, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM, Coastside Fire Station 40, 1191 Main St., HMB
Location: Coastside Fire Station 40, 1191 Main St., HMB
Format: 2 Zoom classes + 3 In Person Classes, including the last class: Training Day & Graduation.
Attendance: Required at all 5 sessions to graduate.
Eligibility: Open to everyone 18+; 14-17 yrs. with parent/guardian written permission. All classes will be taught in English by David Cosgrave and his team of certificated CERT instructors. HMBHS students who graduate from the course receive 20 hours of community service credit.
Questions? Please email coastsidecert@gmail.com
CERT Class #1
Date: Wednesday, March 11th
Time: 6:30–8:30 PM
Location: Zoom
How to Survive Local Hazards:
Fire in Tom Lantos Tunnels
Tsunami
Flooding
Downed Power Lines & Electrified Water
Earthquake
Wildfire Evacuations
Extended Power/Utility Outage
CERT Organization (ICS)
CERT Class #2
Date: Wednesday, March 18th
Time: 6:30–9:00 PM
Location: Coastside Fire Station 40, 1191 Main St., HMB
Introductions, Hold Harmless and Disaster Service Worker Forms
Disaster Preparedness
Intro to Radio Comms
CERT Class #3
Date: Saturday, March 21st
Time: 9:00–4:00 PM
Location: Coastside Fire Station 40, 1191 Main St., HMB
Disaster Medical Operations I
Triage
Disaster Medical Ops II + Files of Life
Fire Safety & Utility Controls
Light Search & Rescue
Stop the Bleed
CERT Class #4
Date: Wednesday, March 25th
Time: 6:30–9:00 PM
Location: Zoom
Disaster Psychology & Mental Health
Terrorism & CERT
Coastside CERT - Next Steps in Your Neighborhood
CERT Class #5 Training Day & Graduation
Date: Saturday, March 28th
Time: 9:00–4:00 PM
Location: Coastside Fire Station 40, 1191 Main St., HMB
Orientation
Hands-On Skills Training
Disaster Simulation
Graduation
Coastside CERT thanks Coastside Gives, 100+ Coastside Women Who Give, the Richard M. Schulze Foundation, and our generous donors for their support.
How will your donations be used?
Your donations are vital to our mission as we amplify our outreach
to serve more residents of the larger Coastside community
to serve more residents of the larger Coastside community
Free disaster preparedness & response training - basic training, ongoing refresher opportunities, and advanced CERT training classes in English, Spanish, and Chinese.
Communications infrastructure to send timely local safety messages, webinars, videos, and tutorials.
Critical practice drills & mutual aid activations with other emergency response agencies, as during the tsunami alerts, CZU fires & burn scar debris flow evacuations and CERT volunteers who continuously staffed HMB COVID testing sites from June 2020 -June 2021.
Preparedness & response equipment.
Growth of neighbor helping neighbor networks in every local neighborhood as they work together to strengthen communication and resilience.
VIDEOS
To check out our CERT videos on our VIMEO channel, click here.