Perc San Bernardino County training is a community-based emergency preparedness program that equips residents with skills to respond effectively during disasters such as wildfires, earthquakes, and power outages. The program is administered by the San Bernardino County Office of Emergency Management and focuses on practical, life-saving actions before professional responders arrive.
The full name-Public Education and Response Coordination (PERC)-refers to a structured curriculum designed for volunteers and community members. It covers hazard awareness, basic first aid, fire suppression techniques, and communication protocols. Participants receive a certification upon completion, which qualifies them to assist in local emergency operations under supervision.
Training sessions are held monthly at designated locations across the county, including fire stations, community centers, and libraries. Attendance is free, and materials are provided in both English and Spanish. The program is not a substitute for professional emergency services but a critical layer of community resilience.
Each session lasts four hours and follows a standardized format. Participants begin with a classroom lecture covering local risks-wildfires in the mountain communities, flash floods in desert areas, and earthquake hazards near the San Andreas Fault. This phase includes maps, real incident reports, and interactive quizzes.
After the theory portion, trainees move into hands-on drills. They practice using fire extinguishers on simulated fires, perform triage on mannequins, and set up temporary shelters. A key component is the "incident command simulation," where groups role-play responding to a mock wildfire evacuation in Victorville. Trainers observe and provide feedback in real time.
Participants must pass a written test with a minimum score of 80% to earn certification. The exam includes scenario-based questions such as "What should you do if a neighbor's home catches fire while they're away?" Correct answers emphasize immediate safety actions-evacuating the area, calling 911, and notifying neighbors-before attempting to fight the fire.
The program draws from national standards set by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the National Incident Management System (NIMS). All curricula are approved by the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES).
Core modules include:
Certification is valid for three years. Recertification requires attending a refresher course and passing a skills assessment. Volunteers who complete the training may be invited to join the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), which supports official emergency operations during large-scale events.
San Bernardino County spans over 20,000 square miles, including urban areas like Redlands and Barstow, and remote regions such as the Mojave Desert. The diversity of terrain increases exposure to multiple hazards. For example, in 2023, the Apple Fire burned over 16,000 acres in the San Bernardino Mountains. Residents trained through PERC helped evacuate 42 households during the initial surge.
Training is especially important in rural and unincorporated areas where emergency response times exceed 30 minutes. In these zones, trained individuals often serve as the first line of defense. During the 2022 Northridge earthquake simulation, PERC-certified volunteers reduced response delays by 18% compared to untrained neighbors.
Local governments use PERC-trained volunteers to staff emergency shelters during winter storms. In 2021, during a snowstorm that dropped 18 inches in the Cajon Pass region, 14 certified participants managed three shelters, coordinated supplies, and assisted elderly residents.
Many assume PERC training is only for firefighters or law enforcement. That's incorrect. The program is open to anyone aged 18 or older who lives or works in San Bernardino County. Over 60% of recent participants are retirees, teachers, and small business owners.
A second misconception is that the training replaces professional emergency services. It does not. According to Cal OES, PERC aims to complement, not replace, first responders. In a 2020 study, 72% of surveyed emergency managers reported that trained volunteers improved situational awareness and reduced workload on dispatch centers.
In October 2023, a brush fire ignited near Big Bear Lake. Wind speeds reached 35 mph, and flames advanced toward residential zones within 20 minutes. A PERC-trained resident, Maria Lopez, living on Pine Street, recognized the danger early. She had completed her training six months prior and remembered the protocol: "Stop, assess, communicate, act."
Maria evacuated her family and neighbors, using a handheld radio to report conditions to the county's emergency operations center. She directed others to gather at the designated safe zone-located at the Big Bear Valley Community Center, marked on the county's emergency map. She also used her phone to share real-time updates via the county's public alert system.
When fire crews arrived, they found the evacuation route already cleared and 12 families accounted for. The county later credited her actions with preventing injuries and reducing response time by 14 minutes. Her story was included in the 2024 PERC annual report as a model of effective community action.
Perc San Bernardino County training is a practical, locally focused initiative that strengthens community resilience during emergencies. It teaches actionable skills in disaster recognition, first aid, fire suppression, and coordination. The program is not limited to professionals-it welcomes residents of all backgrounds. With over 12,000 certifications issued since 2018, it plays a measurable role in saving lives and reducing damage across the county.