About CERT

1

About CERT FEMA/ EMI, using the model created by
the Los Angeles City Fire Department, began
promoting the nationwide use of Community
Emergency Response Teams in 1994. CERTs have
been established in 100s of communities with
more than 60,000 people completing the training.
Emergency Response Agencies see this grass roots
partnering effort as a way of preparing the
community for hazards and meeting immediate life
saving needs following a major disaster. These
emergency management organizations understand
that initially following a major disaster, they
will not have the resources or capability to meet
the demand. They will have to prioritize the use
of their response resources. Accepting this,
agencies find that CERT empowers family members,
neighbors, and the community with the means to
care for themselves until more help arrives.
CERT connects the professional response
community with the people they serve. The
training emphasizes mitigation and preparedness
activities and response skills for the hazards
that the community faces.
CERT training is designed to cover the
following Session I Disaster
Preparedness Session II Fire
Suppression Session III Disaster Medical
Operations-triage and
treating life threatening injuries Session IV
Disaster Medical Operations- assessment,
treatment, and hygiene Session V
Light Search and Rescue Session VI Team
Organization and Disaster
Psychology Session VII Final Exercise Each
session requires 2 to 3 hours to complete
2
Community Emergency Response Teams
FEMA/EMI supports the CERT program with Train
the Trainer courses and a website. For more
information contact Sam Isenberger through the
website or by calling 301-447-1071.
Government preparing the community People
helping people
Emergency Management Institute
FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY Emergency
Management Institute 16825 South Seton
Avenue Emmitsburg, MD 21727 Web Site
www.fema.gov/EMI/CERT
CERT