CERT Training
Community Emergency Response Team Training Program
What is CERT?
The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program educates volunteers about disaster preparedness and trains them in basic disaster response skills. CERT members can assist others in their neighborhood or workplace following an event when professional responders may not be immediately available.
The CERT concept was developed and implemented by the Los Angeles City Fire Department in 1985 after the Whittier Narrows earthquake revealed that civilians were already attempting rescues and first aid with no training. FEMA adopted the program nationally in 1993, recognizing that trained community volunteers could significantly extend the capacity of professional responders during large-scale disasters. Today, CERT programs operate in all 50 states, multiple U.S. territories, and several countries worldwide, with over 2,700 local programs and hundreds of thousands of trained volunteers.
CERT Training Modules
Unit 1: Disaster Preparedness
Understanding hazards, reducing disaster impact, and personal preparedness planning.
Unit 2: Fire Safety
Fire chemistry, hazardous materials, fire suppression, and fire size-up.
Unit 3: Disaster Medical Operations
Triage, treating life-threatening conditions, and mass casualty incidents.
Unit 4: Light Search and Rescue
Search and rescue operations, structural hazards, and victim extraction.
Unit 5: CERT Organization
Team organization, command structure, and documentation.
Unit 6: Disaster Psychology
Managing stress, helping disaster survivors, and team well-being.
Starting a CERT Team
Communities interested in establishing a new CERT program should begin by contacting their local emergency management agency or fire department. A sponsoring agency provides the training instructors, typically firefighters, paramedics, or emergency managers, and coordinates with FEMA's regional office. Volunteer requirements are straightforward: participants must generally be at least 18 years old, physically capable of performing light search and rescue activities, and willing to commit to the full 20-hour basic training course spread across several weeks.
After completing the basic course, CERT teams should conduct regular practice drills, participate in community events to recruit new members, and integrate with the local emergency operations plan. Many teams also pursue additional specialized training in areas such as emergency communications, animal response, or traffic management. Active CERT teams operate under the Incident Command System framework, which ensures they can coordinate effectively with professional responders during real incidents.
Real-World Impact
CERT volunteers have made measurable differences in communities during disasters across the country. During Hurricane Sandy in 2012, CERT teams in New Jersey and New York conducted door-to-door welfare checks, distributed supplies, and staffed shelters when professional resources were stretched thin. In tornado-prone regions of the Midwest, CERT members regularly assist with damage assessment surveys that help local governments qualify for federal disaster assistance more quickly. Beyond disasters, CERT teams contribute to everyday community safety through fire prevention education, neighborhood preparedness workshops, and support at large public events. The program demonstrates that organized, well-trained volunteers are a force multiplier for professional emergency management agencies.
Find CERT Training Near You
CERT training is offered through local emergency management agencies, fire departments, and community organizations. Contact your local emergency management office to find CERT training in your area, or visit FEMA's CERT page for more information. Many programs offer evening and weekend classes to accommodate working professionals, and there is no cost to participants for the basic training course.