CERT – Free Training To Prepare Your Family For Disaster

Would your family know what to do if a disaster struck today?

A major earthquake, wildfire, winter storm, or extended power outage can disrupt everyday life with little warning. Emergency services may be overwhelmed. Roads may become impassable. Water, electricity, and communications may fail.

You can reduce the risks by learning practical emergency skills before disaster strikes. One place to start is the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program, which offers disaster-preparedness education and hands-on training through participating local agencies.

CERT training can help you protect your family, assist your neighbors, and make better decisions when professional emergency responders cannot reach everyone immediately.

What Is CERT?

CERT stands for Community Emergency Response Team. It is a national program supported by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

The program teaches ordinary people basic disaster response skills. It recognizes a simple reality: when a major disaster occurs, firefighters, police officers, paramedics, and other emergency personnel may have more calls than they can handle.

During those first critical hours, trained community members can help themselves and others while waiting for professional assistance.

CERT training does not turn you into a firefighter, paramedic, or rescue specialist. It teaches you how to recognize hazards, protect yourself, provide basic assistance, and work within your abilities.

Many local CERT programs offer training at no cost. Availability, course schedules, and specific requirements vary by community.

Why Should You Consider CERT Training?

Your family is your first responsibility during an emergency. Knowing what to do can help you respond calmly instead of making dangerous decisions under pressure.

CERT training helps you develop several useful skills.

• Disaster preparedness: Identify likely hazards and prepare your household before an emergency.
• Fire safety: Recognize fire hazards and learn basic fire suppression principles within safe limits.
• Disaster medical operations: Learn basic first aid, triage concepts, and how to prioritize assistance.
• Light search and rescue: Learn to assess a situation, identify hazards, and safely conduct limited rescue activities.
• Disaster psychology: Recognize common stress reactions and learn how to provide basic emotional support.
• Team organization: Communicate clearly, coordinate tasks, and work with others during an emergency.

These skills can help you make better decisions when normal services are disrupted.

The goal is not to take unnecessary risks. The goal is to improve your ability to protect yourself and provide appropriate assistance.

Identify the Disasters That Could Affect Your Family

Preparation starts with understanding your local risks.

A family living in Oregon may face earthquakes, wildfires, severe winter weather, flooding, extreme heat, and extended utility outages. Other regions may face hurricanes, tornadoes, or different hazards.

Start by identifying the emergencies most likely to affect your home, workplace, school, and daily travel routes.

Consider these questions:

• Could an earthquake damage your home or block nearby roads?
• Does wildfire threaten your neighborhood or evacuation routes?
• How would your family manage without electricity for three days?
• Could flooding isolate your home?
• Do family members have medical, mobility, or communication needs?

Action task: Write down your five most likely local hazards. For each one, identify where your family would shelter, how you would communicate, and what could prevent you from leaving home.

Find Free CERT Training Near You

Local emergency management agencies, fire departments, and other participating organizations organize CERT programs.

Start with FEMA’s official CERT program website:

https://www.ready.gov/cert

You can also contact your city or county emergency management office. Ask whether a local CERT program offers introductory training, upcoming classes, or community exercises.

Many programs provide classroom instruction and practical exercises. Course length and subject matter can vary by location.

Ask these questions before registering:

• Is the course free?
• When does the next class begin?
• Does the course include hands-on exercises?
• Are there age or participation requirements?
• Is refresher training available?
• Can family members attend together?

Action task: Search for your local CERT program today. Write down the contact information, next available course date, and registration requirements.

Learn the Basics of Disaster Medical Care

In a major emergency, professional medical help may be delayed. Basic first aid knowledge can help you recognize urgent problems and provide appropriate assistance.

CERT courses commonly introduce disaster medical operations, including triage concepts and basic treatment skills.

You may learn how to assess a scene, recognize life-threatening conditions, control severe bleeding, and organize assistance for injured people.

Training also emphasizes personal safety. Never enter a dangerous area or attempt a rescue that exceeds your training.

Action task: Enroll in CERT training and identify a reputable first aid or CPR course. Practice your skills periodically so you can remember them under stress.

Prepare Your Family Emergency Plan

Training is most useful when you apply it at home.

Every household should have a plan for staying together, communicating, evacuating, and managing essential needs.

Your plan should include:

• Two meeting places: one near your home and another outside your immediate neighborhood.
• An out-of-area contact who can relay messages between family members.
• Evacuation routes and backup routes.
• Emergency contacts for schools, workplaces, and caregivers.
• Plans for children, older adults, pets, and anyone with functional needs.
• A designated location for important documents and emergency supplies.

Make sure everyone knows how to receive emergency alerts and when to follow evacuation orders.

Action task: Hold a family meeting this week. Review your plan, assign responsibilities, and practice what to do if family members are separated during a disaster.

Build an Emergency Supply Kit

Your family may need to manage without outside assistance for several days. A basic emergency kit gives you a starting point.

Include:

• Drinking water and shelf-stable food.
• Flashlights, extra batteries, or reliable rechargeable lights.
• A battery-powered or hand-crank emergency radio.
• First aid supplies and necessary medications.
• Warm clothing, blankets, and sturdy footwear.
• Hygiene supplies and sanitation items.
• Phone charging equipment and backup power.
• Copies of important documents and emergency contact information.
• Supplies for infants, pets, and household members with specific needs.

Store supplies where you can reach them quickly. Check expiration dates, replace used items, and adjust quantities for your household.

Action task: Inventory what you already own. Make a list of missing items, then buy or assemble a few essentials each week until your kit is ready.

Practice Before Disaster Strikes

A plan that has never been tested may fail when you need it most.

Practice turning off utilities only when it is safe and you know how. Walk your evacuation routes. Test your emergency lighting. Run a household drill where everyone follows the plan.

Participate in CERT exercises if your local program offers them. Consider what worked, what caused confusion, and what needs to change.

Action task: Schedule one family emergency drill this month. Time your response, identify problems, and update your plan afterward.

Your Family’s Preparedness Starts With You

You cannot prevent every disaster. You can improve your family’s ability to respond.

CERT training offers a practical starting point. It helps you recognize hazards, build basic response skills, and assist others without putting yourself in unnecessary danger.

You do not need to learn everything at once. Start by finding a local course, preparing a family plan, and assembling essential supplies.

The next disaster may arrive with little warning. Prepare before it happens.

Take the first step today. Find your local CERT program, sign up for training, and help your family prepare better.

Official CERT Training Resources

• FEMA: Introduction to CERT — Free Online Course. A self-paced introduction to CERT and its role in disaster response. It does not replace local hands-on CERT Basic Training. IS-317.A+1
• Oregon Department of Emergency Management: CERT Programs. Find local programs and contact information if you live in Oregon. Oregon.gov
• Ready.gov: Emergency Preparedness. Find guidance on family plans, emergency supplies, evacuation, and alerts. Ready.gov

Editorial note: Local CERT Basic Training is often free, but availability and fees vary by sponsoring agency. Confirm the cost before registering.