IS-0317.a: Introduction to Community
Emergency Response Teams (CERTs)
Questions And Answers
Training Equipment and Supplies - Correct Answer-
What is the CERT Program? - Correct Answer-The Community Emergency Response
Team (CERT) program educated community volunteers about disaster preparedness
for the hazards that may affect their area. The program also trains volunteers in basic
disaster response skills.
-Fire safety
-Light search and rescue
-Team organization, and
-Disaster medical operations
The CERT program offers a consistent, nationwide approach to volunteer teams in
place, professional responders can focus on more complex and dangerous tasks during
disaster situations. CERT volunteers build and enhance capabilities to prepare for,
respond too, and recover from disasters.
What Exactly is a CERT? - Correct Answer-A Community Emergency Response Team,
or CERT, is an organized group of volunteers trained in a consistent, nationwide
approach to prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters. CERT volunteers
support emergency responders with disaster preparedness and with protecting family,
neighbors, and others in a disaster or emergency situation.
Note: As a group, CERT volunteers deploy how and when directed by their sponsoring
organization. However, CERT training prepares individuals how to act as a good
Samaritans and apply their skills when situations arise in their daily lives.
CERT: The Origin Story - Correct Answer-The CERT concept was developed by the
Los Angeles City FD. In 1985, LAFD officials traveled to Japan to study their disaster
response plans. They learned that Japan used extensive training programs to train
neighborhoods in basic emergency skills: light search and rescue, fire suppression, first
aid, and evacuation.
Later that year a violent 8.1 earthquake hit Mexico City and killed thousands of people.
A LAFD group traveled to Mexico City and observed how untrained neighbors were
often first to respond to those trapped and injured nearby.
Soon the LA City Fire Deptartment began training their beighborhood watch leaders to
perform basic fire suppression, light search and rescue, and first aid. This first team of
30 people completed training in early 1986. Using drills, demonstrations, and exercises,
they proved that using layperson emergency responders was a viable concept.
, In '87, the 5.9 magnitude Whittier Narrows earthquake just 12 miles east of LA proved to
officials of the need for training civilians to better aid others and meet immediate needs.
After the earthquake, LA created the Disaster Preparedness Unit within the FD. Their
goals were to:
-Educate and train the public and government sectors in disaster preparedness.
-Research, evaluate, and publicize disaster information.
-Develop, train, and maintain a network of Community Emergency Response Teams
(CERTS).
CERT Goes National - Correct Answer-FEMA made the CERT training available
nationally in '93. Now communities in all 50 states, including many tribal nations and US
territories conduct CERT training for teens and adults for all kinds of hazards. FEMA
supports CERTs by conducting or sponsoring Train-the-Trainer and Program Manager
courses for members of the fire, medical, and emergency management community.
Assist Communities, Pro Responders - Correct Answer-Using the training learned int he
classroom and during exccercises. CERT volunteers can assist others in their
neighborhood or workplace following an event when emergency responders are not
immediately available to help. CERT volunteers often run shelters, provide basic first
aid, shut off utilities, and mark unsafe areas. CERT volunteers also are encouraged to
support emergency response agencies by taking amore active role in emergency
preparedness projects in their community. Preparedness projects include installing
smoke alarms, distributing safety information, and participating in large scale community
emergency response exercises.
Common Training for Varying Needs - Correct Answer-The CERT Program trains
volunteers to prepare for the types of disasters that their community may face. Through
hands-on practice and realistic exercises, CERT volunteers.
-Help organize basic disaster response
Promote preparedness by hosting and participating in community events.
Creating a CERT - Correct Answer-A CERT is organized by a sponsoring local
government agency, usually a fire department, police dept., or emergency management
agency. The sponsoring organization finds or liaises with the volunteers, provides and
supervises the training, and has the authority to deploy CERTs.
Each Community Tailors its CERT - Correct Answer-The CERT program is specifically
structured so that the local and state program managers have the flexibility to form their
programs in the way that best suits their communities. CERT volunteers and trained to
respond safely., responsibility, and effectively to emergency situations most likely to
occur in their community.
CERT volunteers can also support their communities during non-emergency events as
well.
NOT all CERTs Look Alike - Correct Answer-There are over 2,700 local CERT
programs nationwide, with more than 600,000 individuals trained since CERT became a
Emergency Response Teams (CERTs)
Questions And Answers
Training Equipment and Supplies - Correct Answer-
What is the CERT Program? - Correct Answer-The Community Emergency Response
Team (CERT) program educated community volunteers about disaster preparedness
for the hazards that may affect their area. The program also trains volunteers in basic
disaster response skills.
-Fire safety
-Light search and rescue
-Team organization, and
-Disaster medical operations
The CERT program offers a consistent, nationwide approach to volunteer teams in
place, professional responders can focus on more complex and dangerous tasks during
disaster situations. CERT volunteers build and enhance capabilities to prepare for,
respond too, and recover from disasters.
What Exactly is a CERT? - Correct Answer-A Community Emergency Response Team,
or CERT, is an organized group of volunteers trained in a consistent, nationwide
approach to prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters. CERT volunteers
support emergency responders with disaster preparedness and with protecting family,
neighbors, and others in a disaster or emergency situation.
Note: As a group, CERT volunteers deploy how and when directed by their sponsoring
organization. However, CERT training prepares individuals how to act as a good
Samaritans and apply their skills when situations arise in their daily lives.
CERT: The Origin Story - Correct Answer-The CERT concept was developed by the
Los Angeles City FD. In 1985, LAFD officials traveled to Japan to study their disaster
response plans. They learned that Japan used extensive training programs to train
neighborhoods in basic emergency skills: light search and rescue, fire suppression, first
aid, and evacuation.
Later that year a violent 8.1 earthquake hit Mexico City and killed thousands of people.
A LAFD group traveled to Mexico City and observed how untrained neighbors were
often first to respond to those trapped and injured nearby.
Soon the LA City Fire Deptartment began training their beighborhood watch leaders to
perform basic fire suppression, light search and rescue, and first aid. This first team of
30 people completed training in early 1986. Using drills, demonstrations, and exercises,
they proved that using layperson emergency responders was a viable concept.
, In '87, the 5.9 magnitude Whittier Narrows earthquake just 12 miles east of LA proved to
officials of the need for training civilians to better aid others and meet immediate needs.
After the earthquake, LA created the Disaster Preparedness Unit within the FD. Their
goals were to:
-Educate and train the public and government sectors in disaster preparedness.
-Research, evaluate, and publicize disaster information.
-Develop, train, and maintain a network of Community Emergency Response Teams
(CERTS).
CERT Goes National - Correct Answer-FEMA made the CERT training available
nationally in '93. Now communities in all 50 states, including many tribal nations and US
territories conduct CERT training for teens and adults for all kinds of hazards. FEMA
supports CERTs by conducting or sponsoring Train-the-Trainer and Program Manager
courses for members of the fire, medical, and emergency management community.
Assist Communities, Pro Responders - Correct Answer-Using the training learned int he
classroom and during exccercises. CERT volunteers can assist others in their
neighborhood or workplace following an event when emergency responders are not
immediately available to help. CERT volunteers often run shelters, provide basic first
aid, shut off utilities, and mark unsafe areas. CERT volunteers also are encouraged to
support emergency response agencies by taking amore active role in emergency
preparedness projects in their community. Preparedness projects include installing
smoke alarms, distributing safety information, and participating in large scale community
emergency response exercises.
Common Training for Varying Needs - Correct Answer-The CERT Program trains
volunteers to prepare for the types of disasters that their community may face. Through
hands-on practice and realistic exercises, CERT volunteers.
-Help organize basic disaster response
Promote preparedness by hosting and participating in community events.
Creating a CERT - Correct Answer-A CERT is organized by a sponsoring local
government agency, usually a fire department, police dept., or emergency management
agency. The sponsoring organization finds or liaises with the volunteers, provides and
supervises the training, and has the authority to deploy CERTs.
Each Community Tailors its CERT - Correct Answer-The CERT program is specifically
structured so that the local and state program managers have the flexibility to form their
programs in the way that best suits their communities. CERT volunteers and trained to
respond safely., responsibility, and effectively to emergency situations most likely to
occur in their community.
CERT volunteers can also support their communities during non-emergency events as
well.
NOT all CERTs Look Alike - Correct Answer-There are over 2,700 local CERT
programs nationwide, with more than 600,000 individuals trained since CERT became a
