National CERT Association

What National CERT Association does

National CERT Association (NCA) is a California-based nonprofit operating as a doing business as of the Fire Services Training Institute. It supports Community Emergency Response Team program managers and volunteers in the United States through FEMA-aligned disaster-preparedness education, coordinator training, volunteer development, a member resource library, webinars, and community events. Its primary beneficiaries are state, territorial, tribal, and local CERT programs rather than a conventional corporate customer base.

Its service portfolio includes Hybrid CERT Training, which combines 12 hours of online study with 16 hours of in-person skills training and disaster simulation; a 23-hour CERT Train-the-Trainer course; and a 16-hour CERT Program Manager course. NCA funds these activities through annual membership dues and conference registration fees, with paid pre-conference training and member, non-member, staff, and volunteer price tiers. Distribution is community-led through the association's website, direct membership and event registration, state and territory coordinators, regional representatives, virtual training, and the annual conference. The underlying curriculum and program guidelines are supplied by FEMA, and NCA does not disclose proprietary technology products.

Name

National CERT Association

Legal name

Fire Services Training Institute, dba: National CERT Association

Website

https://nationalcert.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

National CERT Association is a nonprofit that supports U.S. CERT program managers and volunteers through training, resource sharing, professional development, membership services, webinars, and an annual national conference that strengthens community emergency preparedness.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Emergency Management / Community Disaster Preparedness Training

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), Professional and Management Development Training (611430), Professional Organizations (81392), Educational Services (611)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Safety Training Academies & Standards (Police/Fire/EMS) (BPAIAGAF)

akta.pro secondary industry

Continuing Education (CE/CPD) & Provider Accreditation Bodies (EDADACAF)

Keywords

• Emergency response training
• Disaster preparedness programs
• Community resilience services
• Volunteer management association
• CERT program support

Headquarters

HQ city

Goleta

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Conference Registration Fees: The NCA generates revenue through conference registration fees, with tiered pricing for members (staff and volunteers) versus non-members, and additional fees for pre-conference training sessions.
2. Membership Dues: Annual membership dues for CERT program managers, volunteers, and organizations with benefits including access to the Resource Library, quarterly webinars, and member-only content.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The National CERT Association supports FEMA's Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) volunteers and program managers nationwide through membership services, standardized training courses (Hybrid CERT Training, Train-the-Trainer, and Program Manager courses), a curated Resource Library, and an annual national conference plus National CERT Week programming. Its primary revenue drivers are annual membership dues and tiered conference registration fees. The organization serves state coordinators, local program managers, and trained volunteers across the U.S. and select international partners.

Product overview

The National CERT Association (NCA) is a nonprofit organization that supports and empowers trained Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) volunteers. Its offerings include training programs (Hybrid CERT Training, CERT Train-the-Trainer Course, and CERT Program Manager Course), educational resources (NCA Resource Library and CERT Professional Development Resources), and community events (annual National CERT Conference and National CERT Week). The portfolio ranges from foundational CERT Basic Training through advanced professional development, with the Hybrid CERT Training providing a blended online/in-person alternative to traditional classroom instruction.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Hybrid CERT Training An alternative delivery option for the FEMA CERT Basic course combining 12 hours of online independent study with 16 hours of in-person skills training and disaster simulation, developed in partnership with the University of Utah, Utah Division of Emergency Management, and Listos California. Intended for CERT program managers, trainers, and trainees seeking a blended learning alternative to traditional classroom instruction.
• CERT Train-the-Trainer Course A three-day, 23-hour course designed to prepare participants to deliver FEMA's CERT Basic Training course, part of NCA's instructor development strategy. Aimed at prospective CERT trainers and instructor candidates.
• CERT Program Manager Course A two-day, 16-hour course designed to prepare participants to establish and sustain an active local CERT program, covering strategic planning, stakeholder management, and resource acquisition. Intended for current and aspiring CERT program managers.
• NCA Resource Library A curated online collection of CERT-related training, educational, and operational materials contributed by FEMA, state and local CERT programs, and other trusted sources, available as an NCA membership benefit. Targeted at CERT program managers and volunteers seeking standardized resources.
• 2026 National CERT Conference Annual in-person conference with training, breakout and plenary sessions, networking, and an awards ceremony. Registration is tiered for NCA member staff, NCA member volunteers, non-members, and exhibitors. Targeted at CERT program managers, volunteers, and partner organizations.

Quantifiable outcome

• Nearly 300 participants from 37 states, 4 tribal nations, US Virgin Islands, Australia, and Chile at 2025 conference

Named customers8 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 September 2019FEMA is the foundational partner for the CERT program. NCA was established on September 12, 2019 by CERT leaders in partnership with FEMA. FEMA provides the CERT curriculum and program guidelines, while NCA supports program managers and volunteers nationwide.
• Fire Services Training Institute (FSTI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNCA is a DBA of the Fire Services Training Institute, a nonprofit organization. The NCA announced they will be joining forces with FSTI, consolidating operations under this nonprofit umbrella.
• ProPac USAminorGTM or Marketing PartnerProPac USA sells preparedness equipment and supplies including CERT and MRC items. They offer a 5% discount on all CERT and MRC products for NCA members and provide a quarterly donation to NCA equal to 5% of CERT and MRC items sold when customers mention NCA.
• QuickSeriesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerQuickSeries partners with NCA to provide CERT program managers and volunteers with essential training and instructions through certified print and mobile products, including the NCA-endorsed CERT Field Operations Guide and CERT Companion Guide.
• University of UtahcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with NCA to develop Hybrid CERT Training, an alternative delivery method for the CERT Basic course combining 12 hours online study with 16 hours in-person skills training.
• Utah Division of Emergency ManagementcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated with University of Utah to develop Hybrid CERT Training updated for 2020 CERT Curriculum, available in English and Spanish.
• Listos California Emergency Preparedness CampaignminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOut of California Governor's Office and Cal OES, collaborated with Utah team to provide additional features to Hybrid CERT Training including optional triage module, ADA (508) compliance, and Mandarin language availability.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Market position

Competitive moat4 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/NationalCERT
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@NationalCERTAssociation
• Facebookfacebook.com/NationalCERT
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/national-cert-association
• Instagraminstagram.com/nationalcertassociation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about National CERT Association