Neighborhood Preparedness & CERT
In a big disaster, professional responders may be overwhelmed and take hours or days to reach you. Neighbors help each other first. A little preparation and training turns a group of households into a resilient community.
- Neighbors
- Volunteers
- Families
What is CERT?
The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program trains volunteers in basic disaster skills. Local fire departments or emergency management offices usually run it. Courses are typically free.
- Disaster preparedness and team organization.
- Fire safety: using extinguishers and shutting off utilities. See Home Fire Extinguishers and Shutting Off Utilities.
- Medical operations: bleeding control, airway, triage and basic first aid. See Home First Aid.
- Light search and rescue, with safety limits.
- Disaster psychology and team organization.
- Terrorism awareness and a final exercise.
Contact your local emergency management office or fire department for classes.
Get your neighborhood ready
- Make a list of neighbors with contact info, children, older adults, people with medical needs, pets and languages spoken, with their permission
- Make a skills and equipment inventory: doctors, nurses, electricians, generators, chainsaws, radios, tents and tools
- Plan how to check on neighbors after a disaster, perhaps with a door sign or a flag (green for OK, red for help needed)
- Know where the gas, water and electricity shutoffs are for the block, and who knows how to use them
- Pick a meeting spot and a way to share information
- Hold a meeting or a block party to practice
After a disaster
- Take care of your own family first, then check on neighbors.
- Look for hazards before helping: fire, gas, downed lines and unstable buildings. See Gas Leaks.
- Work in pairs, wear protective gear and know your limits. Do not enter damaged buildings or unsafe areas.
- Report problems to professional responders, and give clear information.
- Help vulnerable neighbors with water, medicines and warmth or cooling.
- Do not try rescues that need special equipment or training.
- Do not move seriously injured people unless they are in immediate danger.
Standards & references
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