Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) educates people about disaster preparedness for hazards 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 their community following an event when professional responders are not immediately available to help.
To get started, community members attend CERT Basic Training. This 8-hour introductory course is offered in two, four-hour classes and is mostly in a classroom setting. This introductory course is open to anyone interested in learning how they can prepare for an emergency as well as those interested in becoming part of the Community Emergency Response Team.
Once you have completed CERT Basic Training and have chosen to become a member of the CERT team, you will begin to take continuing education courses (18 hours total). These are intensive, hands-on courses that ensure members understand and have practiced the skills needed to assist themselves and others after an incident.
