Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)
CERT is a training program that prepares people to help themselves, their families, and their neighbors in the event of a disaster in their community. This opportunity is a great starting point for those who want to help their community if needed. Citizens can learn about disaster preparedness and receive basic disaster response skills training. Volunteers can provide critical support by assisting victims immediately before emergency first responders arrive.
There are many ways to Get Involved especially before an emergency or a disaster occurs, the content found on this page will give you some ideas of how you can take action in your community.
- Join a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program and get trained on basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations.
- You Are the Help Until Help Arrives, designed by FEMA, are trainings that can be taken online or in-person, where you learn through simple steps how to save a life before a professional arrives.
- During a disaster donate to a reputable organization of your choice through the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters (NVOAD), and volunteer to respond to disasters and help your fellow Americans.
- Volunteer and receive training to support disaster and preparedness efforts in your community.
- Teach preparedness curriculum in your school. Download everything you need for grades K-12 through our Ready Kids program.
- Promote preparedness online by sharing preparedness tips on your social media account with Ready’s online social media toolkit or public service announcements.
- Take a free online independent study course through FEMA’s Emergency Management Institute and gain more knowledge to help your community become more prepared.
SOURCE: Ready.gov