Community Emergency Response Teams Program

A community-based training program offered to municipalities, schools, scouts, business and industry, and non-profits, including community and faith-based organizations.
Certified trainers train and develop team members within their organizations or community.
CERT teams, comprised of people trained in BASIC emergency skills, help the community's residents, schools and businesses deal with injuries and conditions until professionals can arrive.
A program to help volunteers stay alive in a disaster rescue and assistance situation.
A way to pre-plan for a potential neighborhood emergency.
A way to reduce stress and confusion in the local area.
An inducement for citizens to seek higher levels of training through other sources.
A format that you can adapt to your local community structure.

NOT a replacement for highly trained volunteer or paid professional first responders.
NOT designed to be activated by the media or 9-1-1; a disaster activates the team.
NOT providing any law enforcement powers to citizens.
NOT a replacement for fire, rescue and healthcare providers.
Not a perfect, tailor-made program, providing all the answers for every disaster scenario.

8 hours of intensive instruction and hands-on activity

Other training opportunities available to CERT personnel are offered by the Allegheny County Department of Emergency Services (ACES).

You can find additional independent study courses at FEMA .

To schedule a Train-the-Trainer session, contact us by phone at 412-473-2550 or use the form below.