What is the Community Emergency Response Team or CERT?
The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) is an organization that trains volunteers to be prepared to respond to emergency situations in their communities. When a disaster strikes, CERT volunteers provide critical support to first responders, immediate assistance to victims, and organize spontaneous volunteers at a disaster site. Trained emergency personnel are best equipped to respond, but CERT volunteers are trained to support responders before they arrive on scene. Members use a combination of CERT training and community knowledge to serve their neighbors in times of disaster.
CERT volunteers can assist with non-emergency projects that improve the overall safety of the community. During non-emergency situations, CERT members educate their communities about disaster preparedness through the Indianapolis Division of Homeland Security community disaster networks. In the Indianapolis area, the CERT program has a role for everyone.
