FEMA and SEMO are encouraging communities to train Community Emergency Response Teams (CERTs) so that they can perform essential lifesaving functions while waiting for professional responders following a disaster.

Topics and Issues to be Covered: This three-day course will prepare instructors to train members of their communities in topics including disaster fire suppression, disaster medical operations, light search and rescue, and team organization and management. This program is also intended to familiarize emergency program managers and instructors with course content and prepare them to market, promote, and administer this self-help emergency management program in their jurisdictions.

Who Should Attend: Ideally, local instructional teams made up of an emergency program manager and fire service and medical personnel who, by working together, can implement the program in their jurisdiction.  Those who have attended EMI's Resident CERT Train-the-Trainer course should not apply for this course.

Prerequisites:

• Emergency Program Managers: members of the emergency management community who will promote, organize, and administer the CERT program in conjunction with local CERT trainers
• CERT Trainers: instructional skills and certification in first aid, firefighting, and rescue techniques

Suggested: CERT website