Responding to Emergencies
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.

About CERT
During his 2002 State of the Union Address, President George W. Bush asked Americans to volunteer their services in order to improve and safeguard their country. Harnessing the spirit of cooperation that developed as a result of the tragic events of September 11, 2001, the President created the Citizen Corps Program to organize volunteer services in the areas of crime, natural disasters, and terrorism. CERT is a part of the Citizen Corps Program. Learn more about the response team in CERT - Then and Now.

What CERT Can Do
CERT members give critical support to first responders in emergencies, provide immediate assistance to victims, organize spontaneous volunteers at a disaster site, and collect disaster intelligence to support first responder efforts.

If you would like to know more about citizen corp CERT, please view the Citizen Corp website.