What is CERT?

CERT stands for Community Emergency Response Teams.  CERT members are all volunteers.  CERT teaches people how to better prepare themselves for hazards that can happen in their communities.  When you join CERT, you help play an important role before, during and after an emergency.  CERT volunteers learn basic disaster response skills, team organization, medical operations, fire safety protocol, light search and rescue, and more.  Your skills can provide assistance to community members when professional first responders may not be immediately available.  It also frees professional, first responders to focus on more complex and critical tasks.

Training is a critical part of becoming a CERT.  The first step is Basic CERT training, a series of 8 units covering (1) disaster preparedness, (2) CERT organization, (3) disaster medical operations part 1, (4) disaster medical operations part 2, (5) disaster psychology, (6) fire safety and utility controls, (7) light search and rescue operations,  and (8) terrorism and CERT. There's also a review session and a final disaster simulation where you get a chance to use and practice your new knowledge and skills.  All CERT courses are taught by professionals with expertise in preparedness like firefighters and emergency management staff.

Next steps after CERT Basic include opportunities to expand your knowledge and skills with training in CPR/AED/First Aid, Stop the Bleed, additional light search and rescue, emergency communications, and more.  Visit the Events page to see what is in store for the future.