CERT has taken on new acronyms;(Neighborhood Emergency Response Teams), NETs (Neighborhood Emergency Teams), BETs (Business Emergency Teams), and the list continues to grow. All CERT programs have a lot in common—primarily the belief that the community’s ability to respond immediately after a disaster is essential for effective emergency management.

Prepared Disaster Response

Initially, CERT programs were developed to assist communities in taking care of themselves in the aftermath of a major disaster when first responders are overwhelmed or unable to respond because of communication or transportation difficulties. As the CERT concept has taken hold across the country, however, CERTs have become much more than originally envisioned. CERTs have proven themselves to be an active and vital part of their communities' preparedness and response capability. For example, CERTs have been used to:

• Distribute and/or install smoke alarms and batteries to the elderly and disabled.
• Assist with evacuations and traffic control.
• Promote community awareness of potential hazards and preparedness measures.
• Supplement staffing at special events, such as parades. Act as victims in training exercises.

CERTs are an investment of local government's time and resources. To capitalize on this investment, program sponsors can view CERT members as a volunteer resource that can assist with public safety activities. Such an approach will actively involve members in serving their communities beyond disaster response and add value to the CERT program.

CERT Standards and Protocols

The best source of help in an emergency or disaster is the paid or volunteer professional responder. But, if they are not available to address immediate life-saving needs or to protect property, CERT members can help. CERTs are not intended to replace a community's response capability, but rather, to serve as an important supplement to it.

The agency sponsoring the CERT program is creating a volunteer resource that is part of the community's operational capability following a disaster. That agency should develop training standards for CERT personnel and protocols for their activation and use.

CERT members must keep their safety in mind as their first priority. CERT volunteers must know their capabilities and the limitations of their training and equipment and work within those limitations.

CERTs do NOT:

• Suppress large fires.
• Enter structures that they consider heavily damaged and dangerous (e.g., leaning or moved from foundation).
• Perform hazardous materials cleanup or respond to incidents involving radiological, chemical, or biological agents.
• Perform medical, fire, or search and rescue operations beyond their level of training.
• Activate or deploy unless called for in their procedures.

CERTs are considered "Good Samaritans" and covered under the Volunteer Protection Act. CERT volunteers do not have any authority beyond serving as "Good Samaritan" when helping others.

When deployed appropriately, however, CERTs can complement and enhance first-response capability in neighborhoods and workplaces by ensuring the safety of themselves and their families working outward to the neighborhood or office and beyond until first responders arrive. CERTs can then assist first-response personnel as directed.

CERT Training: Preparing for Emergency Response

Using the basic CERT curriculum, CERT personnel train to prepare for a disaster or overwhelming event by:

• Identifying and mitigating potential hazards in the home and workplace.
• Initiating plans to prepare themselves and their loved ones for the hazards that they face.
• Learning skills to help themselves, loved ones, and neighbors or fellow employees until professional response resources arrive.
• Working cooperatively as a team within their neighborhoods or workplaces.
• Maintaining a relationship with the agency that sponsors the CERT program.
• Participating in continuing education and training.
• Volunteering for projects to enhance the public safety of their communities.
• Understanding their capabilities and limitations when deployed.

During training, CERTs learn to:

• Prepare for the hazards that threaten their communities.
• Apply size-up and safety principles.
• Locate and turn off utilities.
• Extinguish small fires.
• Identify hazardous materials situations.
• Triage and treat victims.
• Set up a medical treatment area.
• Conduct searches and rescues in lightly and moderately damaged structures.
• Understand the psychological impact of a disaster on themselves and others.
• Organize CERT members and spontaneous volunteers for an effective and safe response.
• Apply response skills in a disaster simulation.

Following initial training, the sponsoring agency has the challenge of helping CERT members maintain and improve their skills through a variety of training programs, exercises, and special projects, all tailored at the local level to meet local needs.

CERT Roles During Emergencies

When a disaster or overwhelming event occurs and responders are not immediately available, CERTs can assist by:

• Conducting an initial size-up in their homes or workplaces.
• Reducing immediate dangers by turning off utilities, suppressing small fires, evacuating the area, and helping others.
• Treating people in the immediate area.
• Working with CERT members and volunteers to establish a command post, staging area, and medical triage and treatment areas.
• Collecting damage information and developing a plan of operation based on life-saving priorities and available resources.
• Applying their training to situations where CERT members can make a difference.
• Establishing and maintaining communication with responders.

Ideas for Obtaining CERT Resources

This job aid presents some sources of funding or in-kind contributions, in addition to agency support, that have been successful for CERT Program Coordinators. As you review the list, consider your community. You may identify other sources for the resources you need.

As you arrange for funding, remember that most communities will not establish a separate account for CERT funds. Be sure to check with the appropriate personnel locally to determine the process required to receive funding for the CERT program.

1. Request a line item in the community budget. Communities that are committed to emergency preparedness and response may be able to support at least part of your program costs on a continuing basis.

2. Charge a fee. Some communities charge a fee to cover the costs of their materials and equipment. While this is not the preferred method for funding CERT programs, it is a viable alternative in some communities. Be careful if you plan to develop CERTs in low-income areas. Many residents in low-income areas cannot afford to pay for a CERT program and will not be able to attend if there are out-of-pocket costs involved.

   Businesses may be more willing to pay for CERT training because they can show a direct benefit to their operations. One community charged businesses for the training, explaining that this money would be used to support neighborhood training.

3. Solicit donations. Some corporations, businesses, and service clubs have a history of supporting community programs and include it in their donations plan. Try to determine how CERT can benefit them and can fit into their donations plan before you approach them. The worst thing that can happen is that they will say no. When soliciting donations, ensure that you recognize business contributions on your website or in your newsletter.

4. Solicit in-kind contributions. Corporations may be more willing to donate materials or supplies for CERTs, rather than money. If this is the case, try to gain donations for items that are critical to the program. You will need hardhats, flashlights, batteries, rope, printing services, recharging of fire extinguishers, and a lot more. Offer attribution as a sponsor of CERT programs in exchange for the donation, and follow up with a formal thank you.

   Also, utility companies have a track record for providing the mockups you'll need to demonstrate how to turn off gas and electrical utilities. Approach your local utilities to explain your program. You might be surprised at what they'll offer. (They may also have supplemental training programs to offer your CERT graduates.)

5. Apply for a grant. FEMA is making grant funding available to States for local CERT training. If you are beginning a CERT in a school district, grant money may be available under the Federal "Safe Schools" program. Additionally, some corporations also offer grants for specific causes, including emergency preparedness. Remember, though, that grant funding is temporary. Even if you get a grant to get your program started, you will have to find a permanent source of funding for program maintenance.

6. Establish a Not-For-Profit Organization. Some CERTs have established themselves as not-for-profit organizations, which are also called 501c(3) organizations. Organizations need to complete and submit an application for 501c(3) status and, typically, CERTs that have done so, are well established rather than startup groups. However, if CERTs can be organized as 501c(3) organizations, they are able to raise funds through tax-deductible contributions from donors.

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