Category: Skill Development

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CERT – Free Training To Prepare Your Family For Disaster

CERT

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

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

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A Remarkable Lesson: Will You Be Ready Or Helpless?

Help

I have a true story to tell.

Last weekend, I traveled to a town in northern Washington for my granddaughter’s 3rd birthday. It was a wonderful time with family; childhood is precious and fleeting, so we must embrace it.

But that is not the story; the story comes from my journey home.

Now, I drive an older vehicle; she is mine, and I’ve paid for her. As she ages, she needs a bit of extra love, so it is not unusual for her to need a bit of help. On my way home to the Portland area, the temperature gauge started running a little high, so I started paying attention, decided to find an exit, and see what she needed. I passed several exits as I watched the temp rise and fall, thinking it might be a non-issue since it hadn’t gotten too high.

After about 45 minutes, I made the call and took an exit. This exit was nothing to speak of: two gas stations; one looked closed. I can’t tell you why, but I went to the one that looked closed; I know it doesn’t make sense. As I pulled in, all the pumps were fenced off. I thought that was OK; I don’t need gas.

It turns out the market was open, and another car sat at the far end of the parking strip, about 25 yards away. Their hood was up, with a gallon of water sitting on the fan shroud; they’d stopped here for the same reason. I thought, a gallon of water is a great idea, far cheaper than they would charge me for coolant out here in the middle of nowhere.

So I went into the market, used the restroom, and bought a gallon of water. When I opened my rig’s hood to check the coolant level, it looked fine, so I checked the cap. It felt loose, so I gave it a spin. It popped off, and a volcano of coolant erupted. The cap ended up somewhere in the engine compartment because I let go immediately to avoid getting burned.

Good news: no burns. Bad news: I definitely need the water now, and I need to find the cap. After the coolant settled, I filled the reservoir with water. As the last drops of water left my jug, I heard How’s it going? When I looked up, a young man with a half-full jug of water said, “I saw what happened and thought you might need this,” and handed it to me. I responded, ” Yeah, I think I opened the cap a bit prematurely”, even though it was unintentional. I thanked him and asked him what he was having trouble with.

He told me he had just done an engine swap and had lost his serpentine belt on his way to church. I remarked, ” Wow, do you think you will find one at either of these stations?” He told me he didn’t need one, as his was still OK; he just didn’t have the tools to get it back on. I told him I had tools in my rig; let me button this up, and I’ll grab them, and we’ll get it done.

When I approached his vehicle, he had already jacked it up on the passenger side and removed the wheel. I asked him why; he said it was so he could access the belt and pulleys more easily. How can I help?. This young man seemed to know what he was doing. So I set up my tools and asked him what he needed. He slipped under the vehicle; it was a small passenger car.

I stepped over to the vehicle and looked down into the engine compartment to see him and what we were working on. We started talking about the belt routing; I was looking him in the eyes when the car slid off the jack! His shocked look, and I can only assume mine, set me in motion. I stepped to the side, straddled him, grabbed the wheel well, and pulled with all my might while screaming Get out, get out of there. He slid out with some difficulty.

He sat up immediately, hand on his head, and asked, “Is it bleeding?” Should we call 911? What happened? I told him, ” It’s going to be OK. I am a trained EMT. My kit is in my rig. I can help you. He responded, Please help me!

I won’t bore you with the details; they are private anyway, but he is OK. I asked if there was someone he could call; he replied My mom but I left my phone at my friend’s house. So we used my phone to try, but she wouldn’t answer. Can I give you a lift to church, where his mom is? He agreed.

I told him we were done working on his car. I jacked it back up, put his wheel back on, and put everything away so we could lock up his vehicle. We cleaned him up a bit from all the blood; heads bleed like water balloons. We didn’t need Mom to freak out more than necessary.

I went into the church with him to tell his mom what had happened and what she needed to do next. She was very grateful that I was there to help her son; we prayed and sang a hymn.

Why did I choose that exit to pull off the freeway? Would it have turned out differently if I hadn’t? Will we ever know the answers? Maybe you already have some thoughts.

The moral of this story is: We don’t get to choose when or where we will be needed.

As Always, Stay Vigilant and Be Prepared

You play a critical role in your preparedness. By preparing yourself for the unexpected, you will become more self-reliant and a valuable asset to your community

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What Is The Greatest Threat to Our Survival?

What Is The Greatest Threat to Our Survival?

The greatest threat to our survival is failing to prepare for disruptions that can cut off access to the basic resources, services, and information we depend on every day.

Recognize What You Depend On

Most of your daily life depends on systems you rarely think about.
You expect:

  • Clean water to come from the faucet
  • Electricity to power your home
  • Stores to have food
  • Fuel stations to have fuel
  • Phones to connect you with others
  • Roads to remain open
  • Emergency services to respond
  • Medical facilities to remain available

These systems can fail.

  • A winter storm can shut down roads and electricity.
  • A wildfire can force an evacuation.
  • An earthquake can damage buildings, roads, water systems, and communications.

Ask yourself:

What would you do if several of these services stopped working at the same time?

  • List the services you depend on each day.
  • Identify what would happen if each service stopped.
  • Identify your three biggest preparedness gaps.
  • Choose one gap to address this week.

Secure Water

Water should be your first priority.

  • You need water for drinking, cooking, cleaning, and sanitation.
  • Store water before you need it.
  • Keep enough for your household and have a way to obtain and treat more.

Your backup options might include:

  • Stored water
  • Water filters
  • Boiling
  • Chemical treatment
  • Identified local water sources

Do not wait for an emergency to learn how your water filter works.

  • Use it first.
  • Read the instructions.
  • Practice the process.

Ask yourself:

How long would your current water supply last if your tap stopped working today?

  • Count the people and pets in your household.
  • Calculate how much stored water you currently have.
  • Set a specific water-storage goal.
  • Check the condition of your containers.
  • Test your water filter or treatment method.
  • Identify at least one additional water source.

Secure Food

Do not fill your home with food you will never eat.

Food shortages can develop when transportation or distribution systems fail.
Start with foods your household already uses.

  • Rice
  • Beans
  • Pasta
  • Canned foods
  • Oats
  • Peanut butter
  • Shelf-stable milk
  • Cooking oil
  • Basic spices

Store food that you know how to prepare.

Ask yourself:

If your normal cooking method requires electricity, what will I do?.

  • Count how many days of food you have.
  • Choose foods your household already eats.
  • Add several shelf-stable meals to your supplies.
  • Check expiration dates.
  • Create a rotation system.
  • Prepare one meal without using your normal cooking method.

Prepare For Loss Of Electricity

A power outage affects more than your lights.

It can affect:

  • Refrigeration
  • Heating
  • Cooling
  • Communications
  • Water systems
  • Cooking
  • Medical equipment
  • Security systems

Prepare several ways to produce light.

  • Keep flashlights where you can find them in the dark.
  • Store spare batteries.

If you use a generator, know how to operate it safely before an emergency occurs.

Ask yourself:

What would happen inside your home after 24 hours without electricity?
What about three days?

  • Test every flashlight.
  • Replace weak batteries.
  • Charge portable power banks.
  • Identify equipment that requires electricity.
  • Develop a backup method for essential equipment.
  • Test your backup lighting.
  • Practice one evening without household electricity.

Build Medical Skills

You may not always reach professional medical care quickly.
A serious injury can occur during an ordinary day.
Someone can suffer severe bleeding from a vehicle accident, workplace injury, fall, or other event.

Learn basic first aid. Know how to:

  • Control severe bleeding
  • Perform CPR
  • Use an automated external defibrillator
  • Treat minor wounds
  • Recognize signs of shock
  • Respond to burns
  • Recognize breathing emergencies

Training matters.
You cannot develop hands-on skills by reading instructions alone.

Ask yourself:

If someone in your household suffered a serious injury today, would you know what to do first?

  • Take a basic first-aid course.
  • Take CPR and AED training.
  • Check your first-aid kit.
  • Replace missing or expired supplies.
  • Keep first-aid equipment where everyone can find it.
  • Practice basic first-aid skills.

Protect Your Ability To Communicate

Information can become as important as supplies during an emergency.

  • You need to know what happened.
  • You need to know where to go.
  • You may need to contact family members.
  • Do not depend entirely on your phone.

A phone is useful until its battery dies or the network becomes unavailable.

Ask yourself:

If my phone stopped working, how would I communicate or navigate?

  • Get a battery-powered emergency radio.
  • Store spare batteries.
  • Keep portable charging equipment available.
  • Write down important phone numbers.
  • Print local maps.
  • Identify local emergency information sources.
  • Establish a family communication plan.
  • Choose an out-of-area contact for your household.

Test your communication plan.
Do not assume it works because you wrote it down.

Plan For Evacuation

Some emergencies require you to leave rather than stay.

Wildfires provide a clear example.

  • A road that normally takes 20 minutes may become unusable during an evacuation.
  • Know several routes away from your home.
  • Identify places where you could stay.
  • Prepare a bag containing basic supplies, medications, important documents, food, water, clothing, and communication equipment.

Ask yourself:

What will I be ready if I have to evacuate? Will I have everything I need?

  • Identify at least two evacuation routes.
  • Identify several possible destinations.
  • Prepare an evacuation bag.
  • Keep important documents accessible.
  • Keep medications ready to take.
  • Maintain enough fuel for an evacuation.
  • Practice leaving your home.
  • Time how long it takes to get everyone ready.

You may discover that gathering everything takes much longer than expected.

Develop Useful Skills

Supplies can be damaged, lost, or consumed.

Skills give you more options. Learn how to:

  • Start a safe fire
  • Navigate with a map and compass
  • Cook without electricity
  • Purify water
  • Repair basic equipment
  • Tie useful knots
  • Grow some food
  • Preserve food
  • Give first aid
  • Manage stress during an emergency

Get Ready

  • Choose one skill to learn this month.
  • Find a hands-on training opportunity.
  • Practice the skill at home or in an appropriate setting.
  • Teach the skill to another household member.
  • Repeat the skill until you can perform it without instructions.

Build Relationships

Survival does not always depend on what you keep in your home.

People matter.

  • Know your neighbors.
  • Know who may need help.
  • Know who has useful skills.
  • One neighbor may have medical training.
  • Another may have tools.
  • Someone else may know the area better than you do.

Ask yourself:

If your community lost power, water, and communications for several days, who could you depend on? Who could depend on you?

  • Introduce yourself to your neighbors.
  • Learn who may need assistance during an emergency.
  • Identify people with useful skills.
  • Offer a useful skill or resource of your own.
  • Discuss basic emergency plans with people you trust.
  • Build relationships before you need assistance.

Practice Before You Need To

Preparation becomes useful when you can act under pressure.

Do not simply buy supplies.

Use them.

Do not simply create plans.

Practice them.

  • Test your equipment.
  • Rotate your food.
  • Check your water.
  • Replace expired medical supplies.
  • Review evacuation routes.
  • Practice emergency communication.

Set aside a weekend and simulate a power outage.

  • Turn off the normal conveniences.
  • Cook a meal.
  • Use stored water.
  • Listen to emergency information.

Try to solve problems without reaching for your normal technology.

Ask yourself:

Am I and my family ready to handle the possible emergencies we face?

  • Schedule a household emergency exercise.
  • Select one scenario.
  • Identify what you would normally depend on.
  • Remove those resources from the exercise.
  • Use your emergency supplies.
  • Record what worked.
  • Record what failed.
  • Fix the problems you discovered.
  • Repeat the exercise later.

The greatest threat to your survival is not one specific disaster.

It is being unprepared when a disaster changes the conditions you normally depend on.

You cannot predict every emergency.

You can control how prepared you are when one occurs.

  • Start with water.
  • Then food
  • Medical care
  • Communication
  • Shelter
  • Transportation
  • Skills.

If the systems you depend on stopped working tomorrow, what would you wish you had prepared today?

As Always, Stay Vigilant and Be Prepared

You play a critical role in your preparedness. By preparing yourself for the unexpected, you will become more self-reliant and a valuable asset to your community

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Experience The Amazing Wilderness, Sleep On The Ground!

The amazing wilderness

There is something different about waking up in the wilderness.

No alarm clock, no traffic, no refrigerator humming in the kitchen, no walls separating you from the sounds of the night.

Instead, you hear wind moving through the trees. You hear birds waking in the morning. You may hear an owl calling from somewhere beyond your campsite. When you step outside your shelter, you see the landscape instead of a neighborhood or parking lot.

You are not simply visiting the wilderness.

You are experiencing it.

One of the best ways to experience the outdoors is also one of the simplest: sleep on the ground.

For many people, the idea sounds uncomfortable. Why would anyone willingly trade a comfortable bed for a sleeping bag on dirt, rocks, or forest duff?

Because sleeping outdoors changes the way you experience your surroundings.

Leave The Comfort Zone Behind

Modern life gives us remarkable comfort.

We sleep on mattresses. control the temperature, turn on lights with a switch. We have running water, comfortable furniture, entertainment, and instant communication.

Those conveniences are useful.

But they can also create distance between us and the natural world.

Camping removes some of that distance.

When you sleep outside, you become more aware of your surroundings. You notice the temperature, the wind, the weather, unfamiliar sounds.

You begin to understand that the wilderness does not operate according to your schedule.

Sunset comes when the sun goes down.

Darkness arrives whether you are ready for it or not.

Morning begins with daylight and birds instead of an alarm clock.

That experience can be surprisingly refreshing.

Sleeping On The Ground Does Not Have To Be Miserable

Sleeping on the ground does not mean intentionally making yourself uncomfortable.

Good preparation makes a tremendous difference.

Your sleeping system should protect you from the ground, cold, moisture, and weather.

Start with a suitable sleeping pad. The ground can draw heat away from your body, and even relatively mild temperatures can become uncomfortable after several hours.

A sleeping bag or appropriate blanket provides insulation.

Your shelter protects you from rain, wind, and other weather conditions.

The objective is simple.

Stay dry, warm, and comfortable enough to sleep.

You do not need the most expensive equipment available. You need equipment appropriate for the conditions you expect to encounter.

That distinction matters.

Listen To The Wilderness

One of the most memorable parts of sleeping outdoors happens after the sun goes down.

The wilderness changes at night.

During the day, you can see what surrounds you. At night, your other senses become more important.

You hear insects, branches moving, and animals moving through the forest.

Some sounds will be unfamiliar.

That is part of the experience.

Instead of immediately reaching for a phone or flashlight, take a few moments to sit quietly and listen.

Your eyes will gradually adjust to the darkness.

The sky may reveal far more stars than you normally see.

Away from city lights, the night sky can become one of the most impressive sights in the wilderness.

Lie back.

Look up.

Give your eyes time to adjust.

You may discover that the stars provide all the entertainment you need.

Learn To Notice The Small Things

A wilderness experience does not require a spectacular mountain vista.

Some of the most interesting discoveries are small.

Look closely at the ground.

Notice animal tracks.

Look for signs of feeding.

Examine leaves, bark, rocks, and plants.

Watch insects moving through the vegetation.

Listen for birds.

Notice how the landscape changes as you move from one area to another.

These observations build awareness.

Over time, you begin to recognize patterns.

You learn where water may collect.

Notice areas that provide protection from wind.

Recognize signs of animal activity.

Begin to understand how weather affects the environment.

Sleeping outdoors gives you more opportunities to observe these details because you are no longer rushing through the wilderness. You are living in it for a while.

Wake Up With The Wilderness

Morning in the wilderness is worth experiencing.

The temperature may be cool.

Your sleeping bag still feels warm and comfortable.

The forest begins to change as sunlight reaches the ground.

Birds become active.

Mist may hang over water or low areas.

The smell of damp earth and vegetation replaces the smells of buildings, pavement, and traffic.

Instead of immediately checking your phone, step outside.

Look around.

Listen.

Drink some water.

Make breakfast.

Watch the morning develop.

You may discover that one of the best parts of camping is not what you do.

It is what you stop doing.

You stop rushing.

Stop checking the clock every few minutes.

Worrying about being somewhere else.

For a short time, you simply exist where you are.

Sleeping Outside Builds Skills

There is another reason to sleep on the ground.

It teaches you.

Every camping trip provides an opportunity to learn something about yourself and your equipment.

Did your sleeping pad provide enough insulation?

Was your sleeping bag appropriate for the temperature?

Did your shelter protect you from wind?

Choose a good campsite?

Bring too much equipment?

Did you forget something important?

These questions become lessons.

You can make adjustments before your next trip.

This is how outdoor competence develops.

You do not become comfortable in the wilderness by reading about it.

You become comfortable by spending time there.

Start with controlled experiences.

Camp in your backyard.

Then try an established campground.

Next, consider a more remote campsite.

As your skills improve, you can expand the challenges you are comfortable handling.

Respect The Wilderness

Enjoying the wilderness also creates a responsibility.

Leave your campsite cleaner than you found it.

Follow local fire regulations.

Store food appropriately.

Respect wildlife.

Stay on established trails when required.

Know the regulations governing the area you visit.

Do not assume that animals are harmless because they appear calm.

Do not feed wildlife.

Pack out what you bring in.

The goal is not to conquer the wilderness.

The goal is to experience it without damaging it.

Start Simple

Your first overnight trip does not need to be complicated.

You need a safe location, appropriate clothing, shelter, sleeping system, food, water, lighting, navigation tools, and basic emergency supplies.

Before you leave, check the weather.

Tell someone where you are going.

Understand the area.

Know how you will get home.

Then, get out there, get connected.

Put your sleeping bag on the ground.

Turn off the artificial lights.

Listen to the forest.

Look at the stars.

Wake up with the sun.

You may discover that sleeping on the ground is not about giving something up.

It is about gaining something.

You gain awareness, experience, confidence!

Most of all, you gain a closer connection to the place around you.

The wilderness does not require luxury.

It requires your attention.

So the next time you have the opportunity, leave the comfortable bed behind.

Sleep on the ground.

Listen to the night.

Watch the sunrise.

Experience the amazing wilderness.

As Always, Stay Vigilant and Be Prepared

You play a critical role in your preparedness. By preparing yourself for the unexpected, you will become more self-reliant and a valuable asset to your community.

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CERT it’s role in you being better prepared

CERT

CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) plays a key role in helping individuals, families, and communities become better prepared for disasters and emergencies.

What is CERT?

CERT is a FEMA-supported, nationally consistent program (implemented locally) that trains ordinary citizens as volunteers in basic disaster preparedness and response skills. It empowers people to help themselves, their families, neighbors, and communities, especially in the critical early hours or days after a disaster when professional responders may be overwhelmed or delayed.

The program has trained over 600,000 people across more than 3,200 local programs in all 50 states, tribal nations, and territories.

Its Role in Being Better Prepared

CERT’s primary goal is to build a “Culture of Preparedness” by bridging the gap until professional help arrives. Here’s how it contributes:

  • Personal and Family Preparedness: Training teaches you to assess area-specific hazards, create family emergency plans, build disaster kits, and make your home safer (e.g., by installing smoke alarms). This makes you far more self-sufficient.
  • Practical Response Skills: The standard CERT Basic Course (typically ~18–24 hours over several weeks) covers hands-on topics like:
  • Disaster preparedness and hazard identification
  • Fire safety and suppression
  • Light search and rescue
  • Disaster medical operations (basic first aid, triage)
  • Team organization and incident command (using systems like NIMS/ICS)
  • Psychology of disasters and caring for survivors
  • Community Impact: CERT members can:
  • Check on neighbors and provide immediate aid
  • Support evacuation, traffic control, or shelter operations
  • Distribute resources, information, or meals
  • Assist with recovery efforts
  • Participate in preparedness events and drills year-round. This reduces the burden on first responders, allowing them to handle more complex tasks.
  • Proven Benefits: Trained individuals respond more safely and effectively (as Good Samaritans), reduce panic, organize spontaneous volunteers, and improve overall community resilience. Many participants report feeling significantly more confident and capable.

How to Get Involved

  • Search for a local CERT program through your city/county emergency management office, FEMA’s site, or Ready.gov.
  • Training is usually free or low-cost and open to most adults (some programs accept teens with a parent).
  • You don’t have to join an active response team; many take the course purely for personal preparedness.

In short, CERT equips you with knowledge, skills, and confidence to turn from a potential victim into a helpful asset during emergencies. It’s one of the most practical ways to move from “hoping nothing happens” to “being ready when it does.”

As Always, Stay Vigilant and Be Prepared

You play a critical role in your preparedness. By preparing yourself for the unexpected, you will become more self-reliant and a valuable asset to your community.

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SHTF – It Won’t Be Like You See In The Movies!

SHTF - It Wont Be Like You See In The Movies

We often use SHTF (Shit Hits The Fan) to describe a major collapse: economic meltdown, natural disaster, pandemic, or societal breakdown. The movies turn these into adrenaline-filled sensations: zombie hordes, lone heroes fighting marauders, or instant chaos with epic battles. Truth hits differently. Genuine SHTF scenarios drag on with boredom, bureaucracy, and quiet desperation. Survivors from hurricanes, economic crises, and blackouts reveal a far less glamorous truth: endurance tests of patience, community, and basic needs.

Movies show you constant threats, immediate violence, and courageous stands. Actual disasters unfold slowly. Hurricane survivors described days of waiting on rooftops for rescue, not fighting off invaders. One survivor shared the terror of rising water and isolation, followed by weeks of mud cleanup and supply shortages. No dramatic chases; just endless lines for water, food, and ice.

Empty store shelves become the nightmare, not bandit raids.

We debunk the “lone wolf” myth. Movies celebrate solo survival, but real accounts underscore community, neighbors sharing generators, food, and labor.

After storms, communities organize cleanups and aid distribution. Seclusion kills faster than threats; mental strain from loss, uncertainty, and monotony dominates. Survivors report depression, guilt over surviving while others suffer, and the endless grind of rebuilding without power or clean water.

Violence? Infrequent compared to movies. Most danger comes from lack of clean water, disease, poor sanitation, or accidents. In prolonged crises like Venezuela’s economic collapse, hyperinflation, and shortages, malnutrition and emigration resulted, not widespread looting. We warn against imagining “bugging out” with arsenals. Facts demand that we have access to sustainable food, clean water, and medical care.

The biggest shock: tedium.

Days blend into one another, waiting for help, power restoration, or supply trucks. No epic soundtracks; just insects, heat, thirst, hunger, and worry.

Smart preparedness focuses on reality: stockpile basics for at least 2 weeks, build local networks, and learn skills such as animal husbandry, gardening, and advanced first aid. Mental resilience matters most; practice stress management now.

SHTF won’t deliver movie thrills. It will test your patience, relationships, and resourcefulness in quiet, grinding ways. Prepare for the mundane marathon, not the action movie.

Stay Vigilant and Be Prepared

You play a critical role in your preparedness. By preparing yourself for the unexpected, you will become more self-reliant and a valuable asset to your community.

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Knowledge and Skills Are Your Most Important Tools!

knowledge and skills

Tools come and go

They fail, you lose them, run out of power, or are not within reach when you need them most. Knowledge and skills are different. You carry them everywhere. They work in any environment. They remain functional when conditions are poor, and options are limited.

In everyday life, most problems are not solved by having the perfect piece of equipment. They are solved by understanding what matters first and knowing how to act. When an unexpected situation unfolds, your response depends less on what you own and more on what you know.

Knowledge gives you clarity

It helps you recognize what is actually happening instead of reacting to surface details. In stressful moments, confusion wastes time. A trained mind cuts through that confusion by prioritizing. You know which problems demand immediate attention and which ones can wait. That awareness alone can prevent minor issues from becoming serious ones.

Skills turn knowledge into action

Knowing what to do is only helpful if you can do it under pressure. Skills are built through repetition and practical use. They allow you to move with purpose rather than hesitation. Whether it is providing basic medical care, navigating safely, or communicating clearly, skills reduce dependence on outside help. Possession is not equal to Competence!

Consider common situations

Someone gets injured at home. A vehicle breaks down far from town. Weather disrupts power and communication. In each case, tools may help, but skills carry the situation forward. The ability to stay calm, assess conditions, and take measured steps often matters more than any item you could have.

Knowledge and skills also support good decision-making

Many mistakes happen not because people lack tools, but because they act too quickly or focus on the wrong problem. Training builds habits. You pause. Assess safety. Address the most serious risk first. These habits are transferable across situations, which makes them reliable.

Another advantage is adaptability

Tools are designed for specific uses. Skills adapt to events. When supplies are limited, you improvise. When plans fail, you adjust. Understanding principles allows you to apply them in new ways. This flexibility is what keeps people moving forward when conditions change.

Building these tools does not require you to be extreme

It starts with practical learning. Focus on skills you can use where you live and work. Practice them in realistic ways. Review them often enough to keep them familiar. Teaching others reinforces your own understanding and strengthens group readiness.

Knowledge and skills also build confidence

Not the kind that leads to risk-taking, but the kind that supports steady action. You trust your ability to respond. Notice issues sooner. Recover faster when things go wrong. This confidence carries into daily life, improving judgment and reducing stress.

The most reliable tools are the ones you never set down. Knowledge and skills do not depend on circumstances. They are always available, always relevant, and always worth developing.

Stay Vigilant and Be Prepared

You play a critical role in your preparedness. By preparing yourself for the unexpected, you will become more self-reliant and a valuable asset to your community.

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The Fall Of Venezuela – What Happened! Are You Ready?

Venezuela

The Fall of Venezuela: A Chronicle of Economic and Political Decline

Venezuela, once Latin America’s wealthiest nation, has endured a profound economic and political collapse over the past two decades, driven by policy missteps, oil dependency, and international pressures.

Historical Foundations of Prosperity and Early Cracks

In the mid-20th century, Venezuela thrived as a petrostate, with oil revenues fueling rapid development and social stability. By the 1970s, it boasted the region’s highest per capita income, attracting immigrants and funding expansive welfare programs. However, cracks emerged in the late 1970s. Falling oil prices exposed vulnerabilities, leading to a sharp economic reversal. Between 1978 and 2001, non-oil GDP fell by nearly 19%, while oil GDP fell by 65%. Corruption, inequality, and failed diversification efforts set the stage for populist upheaval.

The Chávez Era: Revolution and Rising Risks (1999-2013)

Hugo Chávez’s 1998 election marked a turning point. Promising to redistribute wealth, he launched the Bolivarian Revolution, using oil windfalls from high global prices to fund social missions in health, education, and housing. These initiatives reduced poverty from 50% to 25% by 2012. Yet, his policies sowed seeds of decline. Nationalizations of key industries, including oil giant PDVSA, eroded efficiency and deterred investment. Price controls and currency manipulations distorted markets, fostering shortages and corruption. By the time of Chávez’s death in 2013, oil production had begun to falter, and inflation was creeping up.

Maduro’s Leadership: Deepening Crisis (2013-Present)

Nicolás Maduro, Chávez’s successor, inherited a fragile economy that collapsed under his watch. Oil prices crashed in 2014, slashing revenues by over 50%. Maduro’s response—intensifying controls, printing money, and ignoring reforms—triggered hyperinflation, peaking at over 1,000,000 % in 2018. GDP contracted by more than 75% from 2013 to 2021, marking the worst peacetime economic disaster in modern history. Basic goods vanished from shelves, leading to widespread hunger and disease outbreaks.

Politically, Maduro consolidated power amid growing opposition. The 2015 parliamentary elections saw the opposition win a majority, but the government undermined it through court rulings and a parallel assembly. Protests in 2017 and 2019 were met with repression, resulting in thousands arrested and over 300 deaths. The 2018 presidential election, boycotted by opponents and marred by irregularities, led to international non-recognition.

U.S. sanctions, imposed since 2017 and tightened in 2019, banned oil imports and targeted officials, exacerbating the downturn. By 2025, these measures will remain in place, though partial relief through oil licenses has spurred a modest recovery.

Social and Humanitarian Toll

The crisis has devastated society. Poverty rates soared to 96% by 2019, with millions relying on government food boxes. Healthcare collapsed, with hospitals lacking supplies and infant mortality rising 30% between 2013 and 2016. Over 6.8 million Venezuelans fled by May 2025, creating Latin America’s largest migration crisis. Crime surged in the vacuum, making Caracas one of the world’s most dangerous cities.

Recent Developments and Outlook in 2025

By 2024, GDP grew 5.3%, but the economy is half its 2013 size. The disputed 2024 presidential election, in which Maduro claimed victory amid allegations of fraud, prolonged instability. Political persecution and civic restrictions persist, forcing more emigration. As of late 2025, U.S.-Venezuela relations remain tense, with sanctions tied to democratic reforms.

Venezuela’s fall underscores the perils of resource dependence and authoritarian governance. Recovery demands diversification, institutional rebuilds, and international cooperation. Until then, millions continue to suffer the consequences of a once-promising nation’s tragic descent.

Stay Vigilant and Be Prepared

You play a critical role in your preparedness. By preparing yourself for the unexpected, you will become more self-reliant and a valuable asset to your community.

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People Are Lazy, Unless You Give Them A Reason Not To Be!

lazy

People default to laziness because it saves energy, but the right incentives flip that switch and drive action.

You see this every day. At work, employees drag through tasks until a deadline looms or a bonus dangles. In gyms, members skip workouts unless a trainer pushes them or a competition motivates them. Even in households, chores pile up until someone offers help or sets a reward. Human nature leans toward the path of least resistance. Your brain conserves effort for survival needs, a holdover from ancient times when energy was scarce. Today, that means scrolling social media instead of tackling goals.

But flip the script, and laziness vanishes. Give people a clear reason, and they transform. Take fitness apps like Peloton. Users pedal hard because leaderboards create competition. Data from app analytics shows engagement jumps 40 percent with gamified rewards. Or consider open-source projects on GitHub. Developers contribute code for free, driven by recognition from peers or resume boosts. Without those reasons, the code stays unwritten.

In business, leaders know this. Google offers “20 percent time” for personal projects, which has sparked innovations like Gmail. Employees aren’t lazy – they need permission to pursue passion. A Gallup study found that motivated workers are 21 percent more productive. You create reasons through autonomy, mastery, and purpose, as psychologist Daniel Pink outlines in his book Drive.

Apply this to your life. Want your team to excel? Set specific goals with visible progress trackers. For example, sales teams hit targets faster with public dashboards showing rankings. Ask yourself: What reason can you give today? If you lead a family, turn chores into games with points for completion – kids clean rooms quickly when prizes await.

Overcoming laziness starts with understanding it’s not a flaw – it’s efficiency. Provide compelling reasons, and watch effort surge. Reasons could be emotional, such as helping a loved one, or practical, such as avoiding penalties. In education, students cram for exams because grades matter. Without stakes, learning stalls.

History backs this. During World War II, factory workers ramped up production under patriotic appeals and incentives. Output soared because the reason – winning the war – mattered deeply.

You hold the power to motivate. Spot laziness in yourself or others? Craft a reason. Make it personal and immediate. For instance, tie exercise to feeling energized for your kids. Track results: Journal how reasons change behavior over a week.

People aren’t inherently unproductive. They wait for that spark. Be the one to light it. Your world gets better when you do.

Stay Vigilant and Be Prepared

You play a critical role in your preparedness. By preparing yourself for the unexpected, you will become more self-reliant and a valuable asset to your community.

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Startling Impact Fall Will Actually Have On My Preparedness

Fall Impact

Fall changes more than the weather — it changes how we navigate through our lives. Let alone how ready you really are when things go wrong.

What you need to consider to prepare for Fall

Cold slows you down

  • Your hands lose dexterity in low temperatures.
  • Practice handling tools and gear while wearing gloves.
  • Keep chemical hand warmers in your kit.
  • Test how batteries perform in the cold — they drain faster.

Darkness comes earlier

  • You lose daylight hours for travel or repairs.
  • Add extra flashlights, headlamps, and spare batteries.
  • Keep one light source in every key location — home, car, and pack.

The weather turns unpredictable

  • Fall storms can knock out power and flood low areas.
  • Clean gutters and check sump pumps.
  • Store rain gear and waterproof footwear.
  • Keep tarps and plastic sheeting ready for quick shelter or roof repair.

Food and water storage shift

  • Cooler air helps with long-term storage but increases the risk of moisture.
  • Move food away from damp spots.
  • Use sealed bins and silica packs to keep supplies dry.
  • Check water containers for cracks from temperature changes.

Health threats rise

  • Cold air strains the body and increases the risk of illness.
  • Stock tissues, cold medicine, and immune boosters.
  • Wash your hands often — more people are staying indoors, which increases germ spread.
  • Get enough rest; fatigue lowers resilience.

Vehicles face stress in the Fall

Your mindset must adapt

Fall quietly exposes weak spots in every plan. The shorter days, cooler air, and unpredictable storms reveal whether your gear, supplies, and mindset are ready — or overdue for an upgrade.

Stay Vigilant and Be Prepared

You play a critical role in your preparedness. By preparing yourself for the unexpected, you will become more self-reliant and a valuable asset to your community.

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