From short awareness sessions to the full Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) course — hands-on skills for any resident who wants to be the help until help arrives.
When disaster strikes, emergency responders may not be able to reach everyone immediately. That’s where trained community members make a critical difference.
Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training equips individuals with the skills needed to help themselves, their families, and their neighbors during emergencies.
In the immediate aftermath of a disaster, the first person on scene is often not a professional responder—it’s a neighbor. CERT training prepares you to:
A trained community is a resilient community. CERT bridges the gap between professional response and community need.
CERT is a nationally recognized program designed to educate individuals about disaster preparedness and provide hands-on training in basic response skills. Participants learn how to safely respond to a variety of emergencies using practical, easy-to-understand techniques.
CERT is built on a simple but powerful concept:
By taking care of your own safety, you become a resource—not a victim—during emergencies. CERT-trained individuals are often able to:
CERT training is designed for everyone, regardless of background or experience. It is especially valuable for:
No prior experience is required—just a willingness to learn and help others.
CERT training is more than a class—it’s an investment in your safety and your community. By completing CERT training, you will:
Taking CERT training is one of the most impactful steps you can take to prepare for disasters. Be ready to act when it matters most. Be the help until help arrives.
CERT training is also the first step in becoming a Citizen Corps volunteer! Click here to learn more about our volunteer program.
