Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)

Mission

The CERT program was developed because of the need for a trained civilian emergency workforce. The CERT Program provides for community self-sufficiency through the development of multifunctional response teams who act as adjunct to the county’s emergency services during major disasters. CERT members can also assist with non-emergency projects that help improve the safety of their community.

Why Should You Take CERT Training?

If there is a natural or man-made event that overwhelms or delays the community’s professional responders, CERT members can assist others by applying the basic response and organizational skills that they learned during their CERT training. These skills can help save and sustain lives until help arrives. CERT members also can volunteer for special projects that improve a community’s preparedness.

How the Training Works

The basic CERT training program is a 20-hour course, typically delivered one evening per week over an 8-week period. Training sessions cover disaster preparedness, fire suppression, basic disaster medical operations, light search and rescue, disaster psychology, team organization and terrorism awareness.