CERT Community Emergency Response Teams

Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT)

In the United States a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), sometimes known as a Neighborhood Emergency Response Team (NERT), or Neighborhood Emergency Team (NET), is a group of volunteer emergency workers who have received basic training in disaster preparedness, disaster fire suppression, basic disaster medical operations, light search and rescue, and team operations. They are designed to act as an auxiliary to existing emergency responders in the event of a major disaster.

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 programs serve in more than 170 communities nationwide. This section represents the best practices that successful CERT communities use to start and maintain their programs.

For information on how to start a CERT team in your area, click here.

CERTs are formed by members of a neighborhood or workplace who want to be better prepared for the hazards that threaten their communities.

Initially, CERT programs were developed to assist communities in taking care of themselves in the aftermath of a major disaster when first responders are overwhelmed or unable to respond because of communication or transportation difficulties. As the CERT concept has taken hold across the country, however, CERTs have become much more than originally envisioned. CERTs have proven themselves to be an active and vital part of their communities’ preparedness and response capability. For example, CERTs have been used to:

* Distribute and/or install smoke alarms and batteries to the elderly and disabled.
* Assist with evacuations and traffic control.
* Promote community awareness of potential hazards and preparedness measures.
* Supplement staffing at special events, such as parades.
* Act as victims in training exercises.

CERTs are an investment of local government’s time and resources. To capitalize on this investment, program sponsors can view CERT members as a volunteer resource that can assist with public safety activities. Such an approach will actively involve members in serving their communities beyond disaster response and add value to the CERT program.

For more information go to Citizens Corp .

CERT Community Emergency Response Teams

Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT)

In the United States a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), sometimes known as a Neighborhood Emergency Response Team (NERT), or Neighborhood Emergency Team (NET), is a group of volunteer emergency workers who have received basic training in disaster preparedness, disaster fire suppression, basic disaster medical operations, light search and rescue, and team operations. They are designed to act as an auxiliary to existing emergency responders in the event of a major disaster.

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 programs serve in more than 170 communities nationwide. This section represents the best practices that successful CERT communities use to start and maintain their programs.

For information on how to start a CERT team in your area, click here.

CERTs are formed by members of a neighborhood or workplace who want to be better prepared for the hazards that threaten their communities.

Initially, CERT programs were developed to assist communities in taking care of themselves in the aftermath of a major disaster when first responders are overwhelmed or unable to respond because of communication or transportation difficulties. As the CERT concept has taken hold across the country, however, CERTs have become much more than originally envisioned. CERTs have proven themselves to be an active and vital part of their communities’ preparedness and response capability. For example, CERTs have been used to:

* Distribute and/or install smoke alarms and batteries to the elderly and disabled.
* Assist with evacuations and traffic control.
* Promote community awareness of potential hazards and preparedness measures.
* Supplement staffing at special events, such as parades.
* Act as victims in training exercises.

CERTs are an investment of local government’s time and resources. To capitalize on this investment, program sponsors can view CERT members as a volunteer resource that can assist with public safety activities. Such an approach will actively involve members in serving their communities beyond disaster response and add value to the CERT program.

For more information go to Citizens Corp .