Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT): How to Join or Start One
Natural disasters and emergencies can strike at any time, and local first responders are often overwhelmed or delayed during large-scale emergency events. Local Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT) bridge the gap when a crisis occurs and the community needs help.
CERTs are made of trained volunteers who provide critical support and emergency response when it matters most. These programs empower ordinary citizens with life-saving skills and disaster response knowledge, better equipping the community with resilience and preparedness.
Understand What a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Is and Why It Matters
Community Emergency Response Teams is a nationwide FEMA program that trains civilians in basic disaster response skills. CERT-trained volunteers learn how to safely help themselves, their families, and their neighbors when emergencies strike. CERT teams are often activated when professional responders are overwhelmed, stretched thin, or delayed in responding.
The CERT program was initiated in 1985 in Los Angeles following an earthquake, which revealed a severe need for a more trained citizen response. Today, the CERT program operates in all 50 states, including over 2800 local programs that focus on doing the greatest good for the greatest number of people.
This doesn't mean that CERT teams replace professional emergency services; instead, they supplement the support that is most critical during the first 72 hours after a disaster when professional help may be limited.
Explore CERT Roles and Responsibilities
Conducting light search and rescue operations when buildings are damaged.
Providing basic medical first aid and triage until professionals are on the scene.
Organizing local neighborhood disaster response and volunteer efforts.
Extinguishing small fires.
Setting up emergency shelters.
Assisting residents in executing their family emergency communications
Assessing damage and reporting critical information.
Assisting with crowd management and traffic control.
Distributing emergency supplies.
Supporting community evacuation procedures.
Documenting team activities.
Providing emotional support to survivors.
Practicing drills and exercises for deployments.
How to Join a CERT: Step-by-Step
If you're interested in joining a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) in your area, follow these steps to get involved.
Start by visiting FEMA's CERT website and locating programs in your area using the zip code search tool.
Contact your local emergency management office or fire department for more information about the program.
Attend an initial informational meeting to learn about expectations and time commitments.
Complete your registration form and background check.
Commit to the basic training course, typically a 20-hour course held over several weeks that covers hands-on first aid exercises, search and rescue skills, and fire safety.
Attend all practical skill demonstrations and required classroom sessions.
Pass the final exercises to demonstrate your ability to apply the skills you have learned.
Receive certification and official ID materials.
Join your local team and participate in ongoing training.
No prior experience is required. All you need is a willingness to help and a desire to learn.
Launch a CERT in Your Community
Step 1: Assess Community Need and Build Support
Start by surveying your community to identify disaster vulnerabilities and gaps in disaster response. Check to see if CERT programs already exist in neighboring communities. If not, present the concept to your local government and emergency managers, and identify potential training locations.
Step 2: Connect with FEMA and Local Emergency Management
With your community on board, contact the FEMA Regional Office to access official CERT program materials. Partner with your local disaster response agency and secure a commitment from the fire department or police for official sponsorship and training support.
Step 3: Recruit Initial Team Members and Instructors
Begin advertising throughout your community by utilizing places of worship, neighborhood associations, or community centers to spread the word. You'll also need to recruit emergency professionals who are willing to serve as instructors for the volunteers.
Step 4: Secure Training Resources and Equipment
Download the free CERT training curriculum from the FEMA website and begin gathering emergency kit supplies, including first aid essentials, safety vests, flashlights, hard hats, and other training props, such as fire extinguishers. You'll also want equipment like power stations, such as the EcoFlow DELTA Pro Ultra X, for communication hubs and charging critical devices when the grid is down.
Step 5: Conduct Training and Certify Members
Schedule a 20-hour introductory training course that follows the FEMA curriculum, covering sessions on terrorism awareness, disaster psychology, and team organization and management. Simulate realistic disasters for final certification and issue cert credentials to certified members.
Step 6: Establish Ongoing Operations
Plan quarterly training refreshers and skill practice sessions, hold regular team meetings, and establish clear team activation procedures in the event of emergencies.
Training Resources and Certification
FEMA offers a free online independent study course at training.fema.gov. State emergency management agencies may also provide supplemental training opportunities. You can also check local community colleges for cert instructor certification courses.
Frequently Asked Questions
How To Become an Emergency Response Team Member?
Find your nearest CERT program using FEMA's website or contact your local office for more information. Complete the training course, pass the final exam, and receive your certification. At that point, you can participate in team activities and emergency deployments when needed.
What Is the Community Emergency Response Team Cert Program?
The CERT program is a national initiative from FEMA that trains civilian volunteers in basic disaster response skills and protocols. It was established in 1985 following an earthquake in California that underscored the gaps in emergency response. Training teaches volunteer responders fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and medical operations.
How To Set up an Emergency Response Team?
To establish your own emergency response team, you'll need to obtain official sponsorship from your local agency and utilize FEMA's free training materials. Recruit interested community members and emergency professionals willing to instruct on essential skills, host the introductory training course, and issue certifications to approved members.
Join or Start Your CERT with EcoFlow
CERT programs are essential for communities facing emergencies and disasters, especially during the first 72 hours when professional emergency responders are overwhelmed. Join your local CERT team or start your own to give your community the additional support it needs. With FEMA’s training materials and proper equipment, such as EcoFlow's Whole Home Backup Power Solutions, you can help vulnerable community members maintain communication systems, minimize damage, and save lives.