Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) is a program that teaches basic disaster response skills that can help you assist your community during disaster situations. The training typically consists of 20 hours of instruction including hands on learning. Some programs provide training one night a week over a course of eight weeks while other programs offer fast track training that can be completed in one weekend.
Some CERT teams have active volunteer programs. After completing the training you can choose if you would like to be a volunteer.
Most CERT programs follow this course agenda:
Unit 1: Disaster Preparedness, Local Hazards, Hazard Mitigation
Unit 2: CERT Organization Overview
Unit 3: Disaster Medical Operations, Part 1- Basic First Aid Care
Unit 4: Disaster Medical Operations, Part 2- Mass Casualty Incidents
Unit 5: Disaster Psychology
Unit 6: Fire Safety, Fire Suppression, Utility Controls
Unit 7: Light Search and Rescue Operations
Unit 8: Terrorism
Unit 9: Review, Final Exam and Disaster Simulation
More information about CERT from ready.gov
For general questions about CERT contact Volunteer Coordination.