How do CERT members maintain their skills?

Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) members and the local sponsoring agency work together to maintain team skills and the working partnership. It is suggested that the sponsor conduct refresher classes and an annual exercise where all CERT members are invited to participate. Some response agencies have conducted joint exercises with CERT teams and operate as they would during an actual disaster.

Education & Practice

The last point does bring up a lesson learned. Besides training CERT members, it is also important to educate members of response agencies in the community about CERTs, the skills that team members have learned during training, and the role that they will have during a major disaster. One way to develop trust between CERT and responders is by encouraging agency personnel to participate in classes as instructors and coaches and in activities with CERT members. Understanding that CERTs may operate independently following a disaster. 

CERTs can practice this independence by taking some responsibility for their own training. Teams can design activities and exercises for themselves and with other teams. Some members can be rescuers, some victims, and some evaluators. After the event, there can be a social so that community teams can discuss the exercise and get to know each other.

Show All Answers

1. What is CERT?
2. How does CERT benefit the community?
3. How do I take CERT training?
4. Is there a CERT near me?
5. How do we start a CERT program?
6. How is CERT funded?
7. Who can take the training?
8. Can someone under age 18 participate?
9. What if I have concerns about my age or physical ability?
10. Why take the CERT training?
11. How do CERT members maintain their skills?
12. What if I want to do more than just the basic training?
13. What about liability?