CERT is a training program that prepares you to help yourself, your family, and your neighbors in the event of a disaster. During an incident, emergency service personnel may not be able to reach everyone right away. By getting trained in CERT, you will have the skills to help emergency responders save lives and protect property.
Part of the National Citizen Corp
CERT is an integral part of Citizen Corps, the grassroots movement that involves everyone in making our communities and our nation safer and better prepared.
What CERT Teams Do
Under the direction of local emergency responders, CERT teams provide critical support by giving immediate assistance to victims, providing damage assessment, and organizing volunteers at a disaster site. CERT volunteers also assist with shelter support, crowd control, and evacuation until professional emergency personnel arrive.
Year-Round Community Support
CERT builds strong working relationships between emergency responders and the people they serve. Teams help year-round with community emergency plans, neighborhood exercises, preparedness outreach, fire safety education, and workplace safety.
Benefits of CERT Training
The 20-hour training course provides critical skills in emergency preparedness and response. Participants learn how to:
- Identify and anticipate hazards
- Extinguish small fires
- Conduct light search and rescue
- Set up medical treatment areas
- Apply basic medical techniques
- Help reduce survivor stress
- Reduce fire hazards in the home
- Assist emergency responders
Who Should Join?
- Neighborhood Watch groups
- Community leaders & Parents
- Communities of faith
- Scouting & youth organizations
- Students & teachers
- Clubs & civic organizations
- Active citizens in hometown preparedness