The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), using the model created by the Los Angeles City Fire Department, began promoting the nationwide use of the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Concept in 1994. Since then, CERTs have been established in hundreds of communities.

CERT training promotes a partnering effort between emergency services and the people that they serve. The goal is for emergency personnel to train members of neighborhoods, community organizations, or workplaces in basic response skills. CERT members are then integrated into the emergency response capability for their area.

If a disastrous event overwhelms or delays the community's professional response, CERT members can assist others by applying the basic response and organizational skills that they learn during training. These skills can help save and sustain lives following a disaster until more advanced help arrives. CERT skills also apply to daily emergencies.

CERT members maintain and refine their skills by participating in periodic exercises and training activities. They can attend supplemental training opportunities offered by the sponsoring agency and others that further their skills base. Finally, CERT members can volunteer for projects that improve community emergency preparedness.

Having citizens who are better prepared to take care of themselves and others during times of crisis allows first responders to focus their efforts on the most critical, life-threatening situations. Anyone can do something to support local first responders.

It only takes approximately 20 hours to complete the training required to become a CERT Volunteer. Once you are certified there are many tasks that a well-trained, organized group of citizen volunteers can perform on an ongoing basis, such as:

		During times of heightened national security alerts, assist in planning for quick access to emergency supplies, shelter readiness, and procedures review
		Assist with hard-to-reach, at-risk audiences to improve safety (e.g. Senior citizens, individuals with disabilities, etc.)
		Assist with foreign language translation of safety literature
		Assist with youth programs and youth mentoring services
		Assist with injury prevention awareness programs
		Assist with maintenance of emergency vehicles
		Assist with public relations
		Develop computer programs and design/improve web sites
		Answer phone calls during emergencies
		Assist with typing reports, managing records, and other office tasks
		Assist departments with community programs, such as roadside cleanup and food drives for families in need

		Describe the types of hazards most likely to affect their homes and communities
		Describe the function of CERT and their roles in immediate response
		Take steps to prepare themselves for a disaster
		Identify and reduce potential fire hazards in their homes and workplaces
		Assist with injury prevention awareness programs
		Work as a team to apply basic fire suppression strategies, resources, and safety measures to extinguish a burning liquid
		Apply techniques for opening airways, controlling bleeding and treating shock for victims
		Conduct triage under simulated conditions
		Perform head-to-toe assessments
		Select and set up a treatment area
		Employ basic treatments for various wounds
		Identify planning and size up requirements for potential search and rescue situations
		Describe the most common techniques for searching a structure
		Use safe techniques for debris removal and victim extrication
		Describe ways to protect rescuers during a search and rescue

For more information you can visit the following sites:

	training.fema.gov/emiweb/cert/ www.citizencorps.gov/councils www.medicalreservecorps.gov www.usaonwatch.org www.policevolunteers.org