Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)
What is a CERT?
A Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) is a trained group of citizens from a community or neighborhood that prepares for and responds to natural disasters and emergencies.
CERTs are volunteer groups and are nationally recognized by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Anyone can take CERT training, and then join an existing community CERT or start a new CERT in their community. You can also do CERT training for your own benefit without joining a formal CERT.
CERTs are trained in and practice basic emergency response capabilities including:
- Disaster preparedness
- Disaster medical operations
- Fire safety
- Light search and rescue
- Terrorism
- Disaster psychology
Additional topics by local instructors may include:
- Adverse weather reporting
- Evacuation
- Access & functional needs assistance
- Damage assessment
What does a CERT look like?
Initial CERT training may be a combination of in-person classroom instruction and online learning, followed by field exercises and in-person skills assessments. Instruction generally takes 20 to 24 hours. CERT training is free of charge.
Communities tailor CERT teams to address the threats in their local areas, such as wildfire-prone areas or flood-prone areas.
CERTs are a great way for community groups to organize their efforts under a nationally standardized program that is useful for both disaster preparation and emergency response. CERTs can be organized at a town-wide level, or be scaled to a level such as a school campus or workplace.
Community groups make great candidates for CERT teams, like:
- Neighborhood watches
- College student groups
- Youth groups and high school students
- Communities of faith
- Clubs and civic organizations
Of course, individuals are welcome and will strengthen their local CERTs.
Get Involved with CERT
CERTs are active across the state of Hawaiʻi. Use the links below to get connected to your local county emergency management agency CERT webpages.
Hawaiʻi Island
Click here for Hawaiʻi Island CERT information managed by Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense Agency.
Maui Nui
Click here for Maui County CERT information managed by Maui Emergency Management Agency.
Oʻahu
Click here for Oʻahu CERT information managed by Honolulu Department of Emergency Management.
