During the 1985 Mexico City earthquake, first responders were overwhelmed by the sheer scale of destruction and thousands of trapped victims. This disaster revealed a critical gap in emergency response: professional resources are finite, but community members with basic training can multiply rescue capabilities exponentially. This realization led to the creation of Community Emergency Response Teams—a nationwide program that has trained over 1 million civilian volunteers to become force multipliers during disasters.
1. What is CERT? The Foundation of Community-Based Disaster Response
Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) is a FEMA-sponsored program that trains ordinary citizens to assist first responders during disasters, emergencies, and large-scale incidents. The program operates on a fundamental premise: when professional resources are stretched thin or delayed, trained volunteers can provide critical assistance that saves lives.
CERT members receive standardized training in basic disaster response skills including fire suppression, light search and rescue, medical triage, and team organization. The program was developed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to create a nationwide network of trained volunteers who can support their communities during the critical hours immediately following a disaster.
Core CERT Principle
CERT volunteers operate under the motto "do the greatest good for the greatest number." This means prioritizing actions that help the most people while maintaining personal safety and working within their training limits.
Unlike professional first responders, CERT members are not expected to deploy during an incident unless they are already on scene or can respond safely. They support, not replace, professional emergency services by handling manageable situations and assisting with resource-intensive tasks.
2. Historical Development: From Los Angeles to National Standard
The CERT concept originated in 1985 when the Los Angeles City Fire Department (LAFD) created the first civilian disaster response training program. The 1987 Whittier Narrows earthquake validated the concept when trained volunteers provided immediate assistance before professional resources arrived.
FEMA adopted the program in 1993, standardizing the curriculum and expanding it nationwide. According to Ready.gov, the program now operates in all 50 states, U.S. territories, and several international locations. The curriculum has evolved to address modern threats including active shooter situations, pandemic response, and cyber-infrastructure disruptions.
Real-World Impact: Hurricane Katrina
During Hurricane Katrina in 2005, CERT teams in Louisiana and Mississippi provided critical support for 72+ hours while professional resources were overwhelmed. Teams conducted light search and rescue, established emergency shelters, distributed supplies, and provided medical triage for minor injuries—freeing professional responders to focus on life-threatening emergencies.
3. The Complete CERT Training Curriculum
CERT training follows a standardized 20-hour curriculum developed by FEMA and delivered by local emergency management agencies. The training combines classroom instruction with hands-on exercises that simulate disaster conditions.
Training Modules Breakdown
Unit 1: Disaster Preparedness (2.5 hours) covers hazard identification, personal preparedness, and the CERT organizational structure. Participants learn how disasters impact communities and infrastructure.
Unit 2: Fire Safety and Suppression (2.5 hours) teaches fire chemistry, extinguisher types, and safe fire suppression techniques. The practical exercise involves using fire extinguishers on controlled fires.
Unit 3: Disaster Medical Operations - Part 1 (2.5 hours) focuses on mass casualty triage using the Simple Triage and Rapid Treatment (START) system. Volunteers learn to assess and prioritize multiple casualties.
Unit 4: Disaster Medical Operations - Part 2 (2.5 hours) covers treating life-threatening conditions including airway obstruction, severe bleeding, and shock. Emphasis on improvised medical supplies when resources are limited.
Unit 5: Light Search and Rescue (2.5 hours) teaches safe building assessment, victim location techniques, and rescue operations for non-structural collapse situations. Search and rescue operations require understanding building construction and structural hazards.
Unit 6: CERT Organization and Disaster Psychology (2 hours) explains incident command principles, effective communication, and addressing trauma in disaster survivors and responders.
Unit 7: Terrorism and CERT (2.5 hours) covers recognizing terrorist threats, hazardous materials incidents, and maintaining safety around chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive (CBRNE) hazards.
Unit 8: Final Exercise (2.5 hours) is a comprehensive simulation where teams respond to a mock disaster scenario, integrating all learned skills in real-time decision-making.
Training Accessibility
CERT training is typically offered free of charge to participants. Most programs provide all necessary equipment during training. Classes run evenings or weekends to accommodate work schedules, with some programs offering weekend intensives.
4. Who Can Join CERT? Eligibility and Requirements
CERT programs welcome diverse participants with minimal barriers to entry. While specific requirements vary by local program, most follow these general guidelines established by FEMA.
Standard Eligibility Requirements
- Minimum age of 18 years (some programs accept participants 16+ with parental consent)
- Residence or employment within the sponsoring jurisdiction
- Physical ability to perform basic tasks (lifting, crawling, walking extended distances)
- No criminal background that would prevent working with vulnerable populations
- Commitment to complete all training modules and participate in ongoing exercises
Programs actively recruit participants from all backgrounds, including seniors, people with disabilities, and non-English speakers. According to FEMA's Citizen Corps, diversity strengthens CERT teams by bringing varied skills, languages, and community connections.
No prior emergency response experience is required. The training assumes participants are starting from zero knowledge and builds skills progressively.
5. CERT Organizational Structure and Deployment
CERT teams follow the Incident Command System (ICS), the same organizational framework used by professional emergency services. This standardization enables seamless coordination when volunteers support official response operations.
A typical CERT team consists of 7-10 members organized into functional roles:
- Team Leader: Overall incident management, resource allocation, and communication with emergency operations center
- Communications: Maintains contact with other teams, emergency management, and coordinates information flow
- Fire Suppression: Manages fire extinguishment and prevention operations
- Medical: Oversees triage, treatment, and casualty tracking
- Search and Rescue: Coordinates victim location and extraction operations
- Logistics: Manages supplies, equipment, and support resources
Teams activate through one of three mechanisms: self-deployment after a disaster directly impacts team members, planned deployment by local emergency management for anticipated events (hurricanes, planned events), or request for assistance from professional responders.
Critical Safety Guideline
CERT members never deploy to situations beyond their training or into active danger zones. The program emphasizes "assess, plan, act" methodology—volunteers who rush into dangerous situations without proper assessment become additional casualties rather than help.
6. Essential CERT Equipment and Supplies
Most local CERT programs provide basic equipment to trained members, though volunteers often supplement with personal gear. The standard CERT cache includes items designed for immediate disaster response when normal supplies are unavailable.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Helmets, safety goggles, work gloves, dust masks, and reflective vests. High-visibility identification distinguishes CERT members from civilians during chaotic incidents.
Search and Rescue Tools: Pry bars, shovels, rope, duct tape, plastic sheeting, and marking materials (spray paint, flagging tape). These tools enable safe building entry, debris removal, and scene marking.
Medical Supplies: Trauma kits containing bandages, tourniquets, airways, splinting materials, and triage tags. Supplies focus on treating immediate life threats when EMS is delayed.
Communication Equipment: Two-way radios (typically FRS/GMRS or amateur radio for licensed operators), whistles, and notification systems. Amateur radio operators often provide critical communication links when cellular networks fail.
Documentation: Incident forms, maps, clipboards, and waterproof notebooks. Proper documentation supports professional responders when they arrive and provides accountability.
Many teams maintain centralized equipment caches at fire stations, community centers, or secure storage locations. Individual members typically keep "go bags" with personal PPE and basic tools for immediate response.
7. CERT's Role in Different Disaster Scenarios
CERT capabilities scale to match incident magnitude and type. Teams provide maximum value during the initial 24-72 hours of large-scale disasters when professional resources are overwhelmed.
Earthquake Response
CERT members conduct neighborhood damage assessments, locate trapped victims, perform light rescue, and establish neighborhood assembly areas. The U.S. Geological Survey notes that rapid victim location in the first 24 hours dramatically improves survival rates in structural collapse situations.
Hurricane and Flooding
Teams pre-position before landfall, conduct post-storm damage surveys, distribute emergency supplies, and staff evacuation shelters. CERT members assist with sandbagging operations and help evacuate vulnerable populations.
Wildfire Evacuation Support
Volunteers help manage evacuation traffic control points, register evacuees at reception centers, and assist with animal rescue operations. They do not engage in firefighting, which requires specialized training.
Mass Casualty Incidents
CERT teams establish triage areas, provide basic first aid for walking wounded, and assist EMS with patient tracking. During the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing, CERT members provided immediate aid while professional resources were en route.
Pandemic Response
Recent curriculum updates include public health emergency support: staffing community medication distribution sites, conducting wellness checks on isolated populations, and supporting vaccination clinics—roles validated during COVID-19 response.
Case Study: Moore, Oklahoma Tornado (2013)
Following the devastating EF5 tornado that destroyed entire neighborhoods, local CERT teams worked alongside professional responders for five consecutive days. Teams conducted systematic grid searches for survivors, marked searched structures, distributed supplies to displaced residents, and provided medical support at temporary aid stations. Their organized response and ICS knowledge enabled seamless integration with incident command.
8. Beyond Disaster Response: Year-Round CERT Activities
Active CERT programs engage members throughout the year, maintaining skills and serving communities during non-disaster periods.
Community Preparedness Education: CERT members teach disaster preparedness at schools, civic organizations, and community events. Many programs develop specialized presentations on earthquake safety, wildfire preparedness, or hurricane readiness.
Event Support: Teams provide first aid stations, crowd management, and emergency communications at community events including marathons, festivals, and parades. This visible presence builds community trust and provides valuable practice.
Ongoing Training: Monthly team meetings typically include skills refreshers, new equipment familiarization, and advanced training topics. Many programs offer specialized courses in damage assessment, shelter operations, or amateur radio.
Drills and Exercises: Annual or semi-annual full-scale exercises test team capabilities and identify improvement areas. Tabletop exercises explore decision-making in simulated scenarios.
Community Risk Reduction: Some teams conduct home safety assessments, install smoke detectors for vulnerable populations, or participate in neighborhood cleanup projects that reduce fire and flood hazards.
9. The National CERT Network and Resources
CERT operates as a decentralized network coordinated at federal, state, and local levels. This structure provides standardization while allowing local customization.
FEMA provides the core curriculum, training materials, and national-level coordination through the Community Preparedness Division. The agency maintains CERT Community on FEMA's website where programs share best practices and resources.
State emergency management agencies typically employ CERT coordinators who support local programs, organize regional exercises, and facilitate resource sharing between jurisdictions.
Local program sponsors (usually fire departments, emergency management offices, or non-profit organizations) deliver training, maintain equipment, and activate teams during incidents. Over 2,700 local programs currently operate nationwide.
Professional Development Pathway
CERT training provides foundational knowledge for careers in emergency management. Many CERT volunteers pursue additional certifications (EMT, emergency management professional) or transition into paid positions with fire departments, emergency management agencies, or healthcare systems.
10. Benefits of CERT Participation
CERT membership offers tangible and intangible rewards beyond community service.
Personal Preparedness: Training directly applies to protecting your household. CERT members are significantly better prepared for disasters affecting their families.
Valuable Skills: Participants gain practical capabilities including medical first aid, incident management, and communication skills applicable to workplace emergencies and daily life.
Community Connection: CERT builds strong neighborhood networks and social cohesion. Members develop relationships with diverse community members united by shared purpose.
Civic Engagement: Volunteering provides meaningful contribution to community resilience and public safety. CERT offers clear pathways for those wanting to "give back."
Networking: Members interact with emergency management professionals, elected officials, and community leaders, creating valuable professional and civic connections.
Physical and Mental Activity: Training exercises provide physical activity and mental stimulation, particularly valuable for retirees seeking meaningful engagement.
11. Challenges and Limitations of CERT Programs
Understanding program limitations helps set realistic expectations and identify improvement opportunities.
Volunteer Retention: Many programs struggle with member attrition after initial training. Maintaining engagement through regular activities addresses this challenge.
Capability Boundaries: CERT training provides basic skills, not professional-level competency. Members must recognize limits and avoid attempting operations beyond training scope.
Liability and Insurance: Volunteers operating under official activation typically receive workers' compensation and liability protection, but coverage varies by jurisdiction. Members should verify their program's insurance status.
Equipment Maintenance: Aging or insufficient equipment degrades team effectiveness. Programs need sustainable funding for cache maintenance and replacement.
Integration with Professional Response: Some professional agencies struggle to effectively incorporate volunteers. Building relationships during non-disaster periods improves operational integration.
Scope of Practice Warning
CERT members are NOT certified first responders and lack legal authority to command scenes or override professional emergency services. Operating beyond training limits creates legal liability and safety risks.
12. How to Find and Join Your Local CERT Program
Connecting with your local CERT program involves several straightforward steps.
Steps to Join CERT
- Locate Your Program: Search the FEMA CERT website or contact your local fire department or emergency management office. Most county emergency management agencies maintain CERT program listings.
- Attend an Information Session: Many programs offer orientation meetings explaining expectations, training schedules, and ongoing commitments.
- Register for Training: Complete application forms (typically including background check authorization) and register for the next available training class.
- Complete the Curriculum: Attend all eight training modules and participate in the final exercise to earn CERT certification.
- Join Your Team: Most programs assign graduates to neighborhood-based teams or specialized units based on location and interests.
- Participate Actively: Attend monthly meetings, participate in drills, and engage in community service activities to maintain skills.
- Pursue Advanced Training: After completing basic CERT, explore specialized training in amateur radio, damage assessment, or shelter operations.
If your community lacks a CERT program, Ready.gov provides resources for starting programs including curriculum materials, implementation guides, and connection to regional coordinators who can provide mentorship.
13. CERT and Whole Community Integration
Modern emergency management emphasizes "whole community" approaches that engage all stakeholder groups. CERT exemplifies this philosophy by bridging professional responders and the public.
Effective CERT programs integrate with broader community preparedness initiatives including Neighborhood Watch, Volunteers in Police Service (VIPS), Medical Reserve Corps (MRC), and Fire Corps. This ecosystem approach creates layered community resilience.
The Department of Homeland Security recognizes CERT as a critical component of national preparedness infrastructure, representing the largest organized civilian emergency response network in the United States.
Future developments include enhanced pandemic response capabilities, cybersecurity awareness training, and integration with smart city technologies for improved disaster communication and resource tracking.
14. Training Your Family: CERT Principles at Home
CERT training principles directly improve household preparedness even if family members don't formally join teams.
Families can adopt CERT's systematic approach to disaster planning: hazard identification, developing family communication plans, assembling comprehensive emergency kits, and practicing response through household drills.
Teaching children age-appropriate CERT concepts—including fire safety, basic first aid, and "drop, cover, and hold on" earthquake response—builds family resilience. Many CERT programs offer Teen CERT training for high school students, introducing emergency response concepts to younger participants.
The CERT methodology of "assess, plan, act" applies to any emergency situation, from house fires to medical emergencies, providing a mental framework that prevents panic and promotes effective response.
15. CERT Success Stories and Community Impact
Thousands of documented cases demonstrate CERT's real-world effectiveness across disaster types and community sizes.
Joplin, Missouri Tornado (2011): Local CERT teams were among the first organized responders to the catastrophic EF5 tornado that destroyed a third of the city. Teams conducted search and rescue, established casualty collection points, and provided medical triage that saved lives during the critical first hours.
California Wildfire Evacuations (Annual): CERT teams throughout California provide evacuation assistance, shelter staffing, and post-fire community support during the state's recurring wildfire seasons. Teams help evacuate mobility-limited residents and manage temporary animal shelters.
Hurricane Sandy (2012): Northeast CERT teams supported recovery efforts for months, distributing supplies, conducting wellness checks on isolated populations, and staffing community resource centers providing information and assistance to displaced residents.
COVID-19 Pandemic Response (2020-2021): CERT programs nationwide pivoted to pandemic support including staffing vaccination clinics, delivering meals to quarantined individuals, managing community testing sites, and providing public health education.
Beyond major disasters, CERT teams respond to hundreds of localized incidents annually: house fires, water main breaks, power outages, and medical emergencies, providing immediate neighborhood assistance before professional resources arrive.