COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM (CERT) PROGRAM Emergencies and
disasters have a way of happening unexpectedly or with little to
no warning. In a major disaster, like an earthquake or a
catastrophic flood, help may not arrive for hours or several
days – leaving those affected by the disaster to fend for
themselves. Being prepared for disasters is a vital key to
surviving and building resiliency for the “next time” a disaster
occurs. Being prepared for disasters is the goal of the national
CERT Program. The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)
Program educates people about disaster preparedness for hazards
that may impact their area. CERT trains individuals in basic
disaster response skills such as fire safety, light search and
rescue, how to work together as a team, and the basics of
disaster medical operations. Using their training, CERT members
can help themselves, their families, and others in their
neighborhood or workplace following an event when professional
responders may not be immediately availa