Program Overview
The Federal Emergency Management Agency, using the model originally created by the Los Angeles City
Fire Department, began promoting the nationwide use of the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)
concept in 1993. Since then, CERTs have been established in hundreds of communities.
History has shown that when a catastrophic event strikes, citizens naturally step forward to provide
life saving services to their friends and neighbors. First aid and search and rescue are typical acts
performed by citizens during the first minutes and hours after a disaster.
Our training (Citizen Emergency Response Team Training) promotes a partnering effort
between emergency services and the people that they serve.
The goal is for emergency personnel to train members of neighborhoods, community organizations, or
businesses in basic response skills. CERT members are then integrated into the emergency response
capability for their neighborhood.
If a disastrous event overwhelms or delays the community's professional emergency services, Citizen
Response Teams can assist others by applying the basic response and organizational skill they learned
during training. These skills can help save and sustain lives following a disaster until help arrives.
Citizen Response Team skills also apply to daily emergencies.
Citizen Response Team members maintain their skill by participating in exercises and activities.
Members can attend supplemental training opportunities offered by the City, Tualatin Valley Fire
and Rescue, Metro West Ambulance, and others that further their skills. Finally, Citizen Response
Team members can volunteer for projects that improve community emergency preparedness.
Team Members Would Represent:
- Neighborhoods
- Business
- Communities of Faith
- Scouting Organizations
- Schools Staff/Students
- Clubs/Organizations
- Amateur Radio Emergency Services
Register/Enroll for CERT Training.
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