Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT)
The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program educates people about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations. Using the training learned in the classroom and during exercises, CERT members can assist others in their neighborhood or workplace following an event when professional responders are not immediately available to help. CERT members also are encouraged to support emergency response agencies by taking a more active role in emergency preparedness projects in their community.
CERT in Action!
- Bay, TX CERT Responds to Apartment Fire
- Greenbelt, MD CERT Joins Search-and-Rescue Mission
- MO Teen CERT Member Saves Elderly Woman from Fire
- Monterey, CA CERT Clears Beaches During Tsunami Threat
- NJ CERTs Help Area Cope with Flooding
- OR CERT Activated to Prepare for Tsunami
- Southern Marin, CA CERT Joins Search-and-Rescue Effort
Getting Started
If you would like to learn more about this program please visit the About CERT section.
Locate a CERT Program in your community using our State Directory
Interested in starting a CERT program in your community? Check out the detailed Starting a CERT Program section.